Emiliano Martinez starred in a drama-filled penalty shootout as Aston Villa overtook Lille to reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals on Thursday following a late goal from Matty Cash in normal time. Villa led 2-1 in last week’s first leg, but their quest for a first European trophy since 1982 looked doomed when goals from Yusuf Yazici and Benjamin Andre put Lille two goals up that night and 3-2 in the qualifier in northern France.
A defensive mishap allowed Cash to equalize with Villa three minutes from time before Martinez, displaying his trademark dark arts, saved twice in the penalty shootout as Unai Emery’s side won 4-3 in the shootout. penalty shootout.
“He is very important for us. He has his personality and his personality in the dressing room is very important because he is a leader with his experiences. He has a really brilliant mentality,” said Emery.
“And on the pitch he has personality and played fantastically. He saved two penalties, so of course I’m very proud of him. I’m very proud of all the players.”
The Argentine goalkeeper saved penalty kicks from Nabil Bentaleb and Andre after being loudly whistled throughout the game by a crowd that had not forgotten his celebrations following the victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final.
There was a confusing moment during the penalty shootout when he received a second yellow card for further antics, including pressing his finger to his lips, but the rules state that any yellow cards received in the match are cleared before penalties begin.
It was a convincing end to a night that began with Lille quickly erasing Villa’s lead, making the most of the extra rest they were given against a team who beat Arsenal 2-0 on Sunday.
Lille starts strong
Yazici scored in the 15th minute to draw Paulo Fonseca’s side level over two legs, before Lille captain Andre scored a corner midway through the second half.
But with the Ligue 1 club on course for their first major European semi-final, a defensive mix-up in the final minutes proved costly.
Cash scored to leave Villa level at 3-3 on aggregate after Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier spilled a cross following a collision with Bentaleb.
Chevalier redeemed himself with a sensational save from Douglas Luiz in extra time, reacting sharply to send the Brazilian’s header over the bar after deflecting Leon Bailey’s powerful shot.
But Martinez had the final say in the penalty shootout after Chevalier saved Bailey’s attempt, as Villa faced Olympiakos in the semi-finals.
Last season’s runners-up Fiorentina sealed their return to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Viktoria Plzen after extra time.
Cadu was sent off in the second half for a foul on the edge of the Plzen area and Fiorentina made the extra time count when Nico Gonzalez scored in the 92nd minute.
Captain Cristiano Biraghi scored the second in the 108th minute as the Italians progressed 2-0 on aggregate.
Spanish striker Ferran Jutgla scored both of Club Brugge’s goals in a 2-0 victory in Greece, with the Belgians winning 3-0 over two legs.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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