Aston Villa’s European journey reached new heights as they clinched their first major European semi-final since 1982 after a thrilling victory on penalties against Lille in the Europa Conference League.
In an electrifying shootout following a 3-3 aggregate deadlock after extra time, Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez found himself at the center of the chaos. Despite receiving a yellow card earlier for time-wasting, Martinez was not deterred and made crucial saves, including stopping Nabil Bentaleb’s attempt.
However, Martinez’s night took a dramatic turn when he received another yellow card for what appeared to be a gesture towards home fans. Despite the booking, he was allowed to continue as the initial caution did not carry over into the shootout.
Undeterred by the pressure, the Argentina World Cup winner showcased his skill once again by denying Benjamin Andre’s attempt, sealing Villa’s 4-3 victory on penalties and propelling them into the semifinals.
