It’s pretty simple. You either love Emi Martinez or you hate him.
One thing is for sure, the Aston Villa fans love the goalkeeper and how he has helped progress the club in recent years.
Aston Villa beat Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the Midlands side returning to Europe’s elite competition after decades in the wilderness.
Given that it was on the road and their opening Champions League match, you expected some possible hiccups or problems.
But aside from a bright opening from the Swiss champions, Villa cruised to victory and registered their first points of the campaign.
Just before Amoadou Onana could score Villa’s third goal, Martinez was up to his old tricks and winding up the home fans.
Ever since the 32-year-old helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, for some he has become public enemy number one for how he went about things, but for others, he is a hero.
As we all found out when Villa beat Lille in the Conference League last season, he is pretty much hated in France and he wound up those in Bern on Tuesday night.
When Villa’s number one had the ball in his hands, Young Boys forward Silvere Ganvoula lurked around him.
But Martinez was having none of it, and as BBC Sport reported, he proceeded to give him a ‘little pat on the cheek’ to the boos of the home crowd.
beIN SPORTS even posted on Twitter that the two-time Copa America winner ‘must be frustrating to play against’ because of how he winds you up.
Emi Martinez angers Young Boys crowd
‘Emi Martinez gives Silvere Ganvoula a little pat on the cheek as the forward hangs around him waiting for the goal kick to be taken,’ reported BBC Sport.
‘It sparks boos from the home fans. Classic Martinez, to be honest.’
Emi Martinez’ new contract
Villa fans were over the moon when Martinez signed a new contract. He is one of the first names on the team sheet and integral to the club’s success.
There is still a long way to go. Everyone at Villa is craving that trophy and this is the best chance they are going to get in a long time.
From Emery on the sidelines to the quality of players Villa have at their disposal, this team just keeps growing and growing.
But, in the meantime, Villa are enjoying themselves in the Champions League and hoping to push themselves as far as they can go.
