Emiliano Martinez has earned a reputation for his antics on the pitch and his outspoken nature as a goalkeeper. Most recently, the Aston Villa keeper was instigating Cristiano Ronaldo in the game against Manchester United.
He was extremely vital in earning all three points for Villa over the weekend, and kept a clean sheet for the Midlands club. The player’s biggest contribution was during the final minutes of the game, when United were awarded a penalty.
Putting Villa into the lead only a few minutes ago, Kortney Hause was punished for a handball in his own box, and United had the chance to equalise in the final minutes of the game. Martinez stepped up and urged Cristiano Ronaldo to take the penalty, just as Bruno Fernandes stepped up with the ball.
Fernandes would ultimately fire his shot over the bar, and even though Martinez guessed the right direction, he didn’t have to make the save to win the game. The Argentinian taunted the fans after the penalty was missed as well, enraging them in the process.
This isn’t the first time Martinez has approached the penalty taker to play mind games. He did the same with Colombia in the Copa America against Argentina, telling Yerry Mina: “You’re nervous, eh? I can tell you’re nervous. I know where you’re going to shoot. Watch and see how I’m gonna eat you up.”
Villa earned their first win at Old Trafford since 2009, with Hause scoring the only goal of the game.
