Keith Hackett hits out after what he saw Emi Martinez doing in Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is no stranger to controversy.
The Villa star is among the best goalkeepers in world football, but he has a knack for winding up opposition players and referees.
Villa supporters love Martinez due to his controversial antics, while opposition fans probably hate coming up against him.
However, Keith Hackett was less than impressed with something that he witnessed from the Villa Park star at the Emirates Stadium.
What did Hackett spot Martinez doing in Arsenal vs Aston Villa?
Martinez always plays on the edge for Villa, but Hackett believes that he took it too far against the Gunners.
The former PGMOL chief spotted the Argentina stopper taking his goal kicks from very close to the edge of the penalty area, suggesting that the 33-year-old was stepping outside of his box at times.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “I would certainly like to see the Assistant referee monitoring more closely the actions of Aston Villa Goalkeeper Martinez as he is taking kicks from his hands at the edge of the penalty area.
“Certainly appears on the odd occasion to be guilty of carrying the ball outside his penalty area before releasing it and kicking it upfield.”
- Read More: Keith Hackett accuses Amadou Onana of cheating vs Arsenal, it went unpunished by Darren England
Martinez ultimately gets his karma in Arsenal defeat
Martinez was ultimately on the end of a decision that went against him, as Gabriel’s opener was allowed despite his protestations.
The Villans keeper believed that he had been fouled by the Brazilian defender, but Hackett did not agree with that idea.
He labelled it as “poor goalkeeping frankly” and said that it was “correct [for Darren England] to award the goal.”
Some may view that as karma, but Villa supporters will not, they will believe that their team should have tried to do everything that they could to take all three points.
Martinez’s actions can be justified as usual, by the notion that he plays on the very limits, but when you play like that, you have to accept it when the opponent does it as well.
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