Unai Emery delivers Emi Martinez message after Aston Villa keeper stokes flames ahead of Paris trip
Unai Emery has told Emi Martinez to keep his cool in France after the goalkeeper’s inflammatory headwear stoked the flames ahead of Villa’s Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.
Martinez, who remains unpopular in France due to his exploits in the 2022 World Cup final, boarded the plane in Birmingham wearing a hat which featured a French cockerel, partially covered by an Argentina badge which included the World Cup, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima trophy.
The 32-year-old has also dyed his hair in the colour of the Argentina flag but speaking ahead of Wednesday's quarter-final first leg, boss Emery claimed the keeper was now a more “mature and responsible” character.
Emery said: “He’s mature. He is responsible. He’s getting better at controlling his emotion.
“You know him before me but you know him before I arrived here. When he arrived six years ago and now it’s a different Emi Martinez.
“He’s more mature, he’s a better goalkeeper. My conversation with him is always the same. “Now focus on football, focus on the individual challenges you have. And try to manage as well everything you are achieving in the level you are breaking.”
Martinez, who also courted controversy while being the hero when Villa beat Lille on penalties in the quarter-final of last season’s Conference League, was always going to be in the spotlight with Villa playing in the French capital.
And his choice of hairstyle and headwear ensured he was a major topic of Tuesday’s press conference.
Emery continued: “He's one of the best players in the world. He's the best goalkeeper in the world.
“He got the award for it this year in Paris. Football is about understanding the supporters, understanding how you are following and supporting your team.
“Every player, every coach, every supporter, we are playing against another team. In the same country or in different countries. We have to try to understand, always be respectful.”
Martinez recently claimed he would be happy to take pressure off his team-mates by being the focus of the home crowd’s ire at the Parc des Princes.
Asked about the keeper’s headwear, midfielder Tielemans replied: “I don’t really care. I am just here to play the game. As long as it stays respectful in football terms. I don’t mind.
“I don’t know, that is probably his style. I think he is focused and looking forward to it.”
