26 April 2023 , 11:35
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Aston Villa goalkeeper and Argentina international Emi Martinez has analysed his infamous taunting of Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford last season.
With Villa leading 1-0 late on, United were awarded a penalty and the chance to salvage a point in front of their home faithful. Before the Red Devils had the chance to take the spot-kick, a melee ensued and Martinez saw this as the pefect opportunity to get into the heads of his opponents and, as he put it, "create chaos".
As players from both sides congregated around the penalty spot, Martinez could clearly be seen goading United's attackers and aiming to plant seeds of doubt before such a high-pressure penalty.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper has discussed the moment with Gunners legend Ian Wright as part of his '#BehindTheGame' series and admitted he was inspired by a conversation he had with fellow countryman and football icon Lionel Messi.
"I saw [Cristiano] Ronaldo was disappointed for not taking it, so I thought 'hmm, there's tension here', I said 'come on, you take it now, you are the taker'.
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"I said to [Edinson] Cavani 'why is Ronaldo not shooting?' I'm a chatty boy, it was not even trash talk, I create chaos. It was in the 92nd minute of the game, I have to distract them in some way as they've got everything to win."
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Emi Martinez did his best to distract Bruno FernandesMartinez went on to explain how he deployed such tactics in part because of how well Fernandes had been taking penalties up that point. It was shortly after he shed light on advice given to him by the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"I asked Messi [what to do] and he said 'when you move all around the place like that [on the goal-line], they don't like it."
In turn, as Martinez bounced around between the sticks, Fernandes fired his penalty high over the crossbar and the Villa 'keeper proceeded to burst into a dance in celebration, only angering those home fans sat in the Stretford End further.
"I've never done that before," the Argentine admitted. "I was dancing, not because I wanted to dance, I never practised that. No, I never did, I don't know how to do it now. I just came up with it in the moment I swear."
Martinez remains a key figure at Villa Park, now under the guidance of a manager he has already worked for once in ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
Villa currently sit fifth in the table and while they have played more games than many of those around them, Martinez and co. will surely harbour hopes of securing Europa League football next term, a competition Emery knows so well.