Aston Villa nightmare sees ‘really bad’ Emi Martinez slammed vs PSG
Aston Villa shot-stopper Emi Martinez was slammed for a “really bad mistake” in the crucial Champions League tie against PSG.
Unai Emery’s decision to leave out Ollie Watkins against the Parisian’s was a major surprise, with the Villains trailing 3-1 following a first-leg defeat in the French capital.
The Midlands side remained positive in spite of the first-leg defeat, with a raucous Villa Park in full voice prior to kick-off.
However, a poorly controlled pass from Watkins’ replacement, the on-loan Marcus Rashford, allowed the away side to swiftly counter-attack before a nightmare early scenario played out for Martinez.
Emi Martinez mistake gifts PSG opener vs Aston Villa
As the Parisians broke away, Villa’s defenders desperately attempted to reorganise themselves.
However, the willingness from the Ligue 1 champions to commit bodies forward proved to be too much for the Premier League side to deal with.
The ball was fired over from the left and although Martinez himself got two hands to the ball he could not control it before it arrived at the feet of right-back Achraf Hakimi who managed to get a shot off, and the Moroccan’s effort in the 11th minute gave PSG a 1-0 lead on the night, and a 4-1 lead in the tie.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live, via the BBC Sport live-blog, ex-Villa striker Dion Dublin gave his thoughts on Martinez’s inability to stop the away side from taking the lead, saying (15 April, 8.14pm): “It is clever from Nuno Mendes.
“Emi Martinez has made a mistake. He gets two hands on it and he doesn’t hold it. Achraf Hakimi side foots it over the legs of Martinez.
“It is a really bad mistake by the goalkeeper.”
PSG’s offensive threat proved too great for the Villains to deal with in the first-half, as Mendes doubled their lead.
A goal from Youri Tielemans gave Villa a lifeline, and John McGinn gave the home side hope with a goal early in the second half.
Rashford then produced a moment of genius to set up Ezri Konsa to slam home, making the score 3-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate, but the bad start made the mountain to high to climb.
Aston Villa undone by slow start
Football Insider Verdict
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, many expected Emery to throw everything he had at his former side.
PSG have been indomitable in the league this season, going unbeaten, and whilst the Champions League league stage proved a little nervier, the French side have looked glorious in the knockouts.
That said, for all their capabilities, the Parisians’ ferocious attack does little to disguise their weaknesses at the back.
Willian Pacho and Marquinhos are often left with little cover, due to the attacking nature of the fullbacks Mendes and Hakimi.
But rather than look to exploit those weaknesses with quick attackers like Arsenal transfer target Watkins and Jacob Ramsey, paired with Morgan Rogers and Rashford, Emery chose John McGinn at left-wing and Tielemans at attacking-midfield.
Following a slow start that saw them concede twice, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Emery, but both players proved themselves to be inspired choices, scoring a goal each against the Parisians.
Were it not for the nightmare start Villa proved they had the guile to drag themselves back into this tie, so Martinez and others will be kicking themselves for how they began the match.