Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has planned talks with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after his… interesting behaviour during and after the World Cup.
Martinez won the World Cup with Argentina and was the hero of the final, saving Kingsley Coman’s spot-kick during the penalty shootout before putting off Aurelien Tchouameni – who missed the target completely.
His antics during the penalty shootout were pretty controversial and he did not impress former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, who believes the Argentine shot-stopper “crossed the line”.
After the win against France, the 30-year-old made a lewd gesture with the Golden Glove trophy before baiting Kylian Mbappe during Argentina’s dressing room celebrations.
The French Football Federation has actually made an official complaint about Martinez’s behaviour after he also held a doll with Mbappe’s face on it during the team’s open-top bus celebrations in the South American country.
Martinez is not available for Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Boxing Day after being granted extended leave by the club.
And new head coach Emery says he is very “proud” of the goalkeeper’s achievements with Argentina.
“We are so proud of him,” Emery said. “He won the World Cup with his national team and it’s amazing. Fans of Aston Villa must be very proud of him.
“He’s coming back next week. I want him to rest now because after big emotion and hard work, he has to have some days off to rest then he’ll come back to work with us.”
“For us, after Emiliano won the World Cup, it’s amazing to be with him and to defend this club. For me, as a coach, I knew him at Arsenal before and I worked with him and I am so happy that he is here and we’re working together.”
Emery also said that he plans to meet with Martinez next week to discuss his behaviour while on international duty.
“I want to speak with him when he will come here next week but I am thinking more about his performance and his win, than his celebration,” the Spaniard added.
“The celebration is for the supporters, with really big emotions. It’s not really a good moment as a coach to identify why.
“I prefer to be focused on how he performed and how he is going to win with us afterwards. I am going to speak with him because I want to control him about that as well – his emotions.
“We have to have values, we have to focus on behaviour when we are together and with the opposition players.
“We can speak in 90 per cent of the cases about very good things, and be very proud of him, for his performance, for his win. It is about more than small details like celebrations.”
Martinez has been linked with a transfer to Manchester United after his stellar showing in Qatar.
United have ‘concrete interest’ in the former Arsenal ‘keeper, according to Football Insider.
His ‘elite mentality’, otherwise known as s**thousery, has ‘impressed’ the Red Devils.
