Emi Martinez slammed on BBC Radio 5 Live after Aston Villa incident v PSG
Emi Martinez was helpless as Aston Villa succumbed to a 3-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine stopper could not stop Desire Doue, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes from cancelling out Morgan Rogers’ opener in the Parc des Princes.
The result leaves Unai Emery‘s side with a tough task if they are to progress to the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition and they need to turn it around in spectacular fashion in the return leg.
Martinez criticised after what happened against PSG
Martinez is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in world football after his exploits at Villa Park in recent years and on the international stage with Argentina.
However, former England stopper Paul Robinson singled out the 27-year-old for criticism in the contest in the French capital after the first Parisian goal.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (9 April, 20:51 pm), he said: “I think he could have had a go. He didn’t give himself the chance of saving it.”
Martinez will be crucial if Aston Villa are to turn it around
Robinson’s criticism is harsh, the effort from Doue was brilliant, and there was little that the Argentine could do to stop it and that was the same for Kvaratskhelia and Mendes’ strikes.
If the Villans are to have any chance of turning it around, they need Martinez to be in top form in the return leg on home soil as they attempt to turn around the hefty deficit.
| Stats (Premier League) | Martinez |
| Matches | 30 |
| Goals conceded | 42 |
| Clean sheets | 4 |
| Save percentage | 65.3% |
They also need their star man to be in great form as the Premier League winds to a conclusion, as they can still finish in the top five and secure a second successive berth in the Champions League but also need others to drop points in the run-in.
The B6 outfit also have the chance to win the FA Cup for the first time since the 1956-57 season, with a semi-final against Crystal Palace on the horizon in a few weeks time on 26 April.
It could be a historic season for Emery’s side and they need Martinez to recreate the form that has won him two Yashin awards in the last few years, if they are to win anything and secure another season among Europe’s elite.