Aston Villa’s goalkeeper, Emi Martinez, will be absent from the first leg of their Europa Conference League semifinal against Olympiakos due to suspension.
Martinez, who saved Lille’s first penalty in their recent quarter-final match, received his second yellow card of the night during the penalty shootout.
Although he wasn’t sent off during the game, UEFA confirmed his suspension, citing three yellow cards accumulated across both legs of the quarter-final tie.
Martinez’s absence poses a challenge for Aston Villa as they prepare to face Olympiakos in the semi-finals. Despite the setback, Villa remains optimistic about their chances, with the first leg scheduled to take place at Villa Park on May 2, followed by the return leg in Piraeus a week later.
The Argentine goalkeeper’s performance has been pivotal for Villa throughout the tournament, earning praise from fans and pundits alike.
However, his suspension adds a layer of complexity to Villa’s quest for European success, emphasizing the importance of squad depth and adaptability as they navigate through the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.
