Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is backing “mature” goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to handle the hostile reception he is expected to receive in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain.
Martinez angered France supporters with his antics during the penalty shootout win in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, when his save from Kingsley Coman helped Argentina to victory.
He then showed off a Kylian Mbappe doll during the homecoming victory parade in Buenos Aires.
And on Tuesday he was pictured wearing a cap with a French cockerel alongside images of Argentina’s recent triumphs as he embarked on the journey to Paris for the quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes.
Martinez’s latest actions, under the microscope at the pre-match media briefing with Emery, are likely to turn up the heat even further on the 32-year-old before the meeting with PSG.
But Emery believes Martinez can cope with the backlash, saying: “He is mature. He is responsible. He is getting better at controlling his emotions. I was working with him in Arsenal as well, before I arrived here in Aston Villa.
“I think compared with when he arrived at Aston Villa five years ago and now, he is a different Emiliano.
“I think he is more mature. He is a better player, a better goalkeeper and now my conversation with him is always the same. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world – he got the award for it here in Paris.”
Emery added: “Now focus on football, focus on individual challenges you have and try to manage as well everything you are achieving and the levels you are breaking. Try to control the emotions it brings you.”
When asked about Martinez’s cap, team-mate Youri Tielemans said: “I don’t really care. I’m just here to play the game, whatever happens with Emi, as long as it stays respectful in football terms, I don’t care.”
Martinez’s cap carried emblems of Argentina’s four recent victories, the World Cup, two Copa Americas and the Finalissima, the game between the winners of the Copa America and the European Champions, which ended in a 3-0 victory over Italy in 2022.
