Aston Villa's Emi Martinez Wasn't Sent Off After Receiving 2nd Yellow Card In UECL - Here's Why

Aston Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's heroics helped the side progress to the semis but the player wasn't sent off after receiving his second yellow card. Here are the details. Read below.

Emi Martinez shushed Lille fans after eliminating the side in the penalty shootout

Source : Getty Images

Lille Vs Aston Villa: Aston Villa and Lille produced one of the most dramatic matches in Europe this season, as the sides battled it out in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League to qualify for the semi-finals. Lille were under immense pressure as the Ligue 1 side lost the first leg away at Villa Park, and needed a victory in-order to stay alive in the tournament. Aston Villa came into the fixture with a 2-1 lead but lost the match 2-1 in regular time, which forced the extra time.

After a goalless 30 minutes of extra time, the game went into a penalty shootout, where the Premier League outfit prevailed thanks to the brilliance from legendary goalkeeper Emi Martinez as the Argentinian produced two saves to see his side through to the semis.

However, what grabbed the headlines was the fact that 'Dibu' received two yellow cards in the fixtures but was not sent off, which baffled the fans. The reason behind that is the fact that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner received his first yellow card in the first half of the fixture, and the second yellow after the match was over, as he was too aggressive towards the Lille fans with his gestures.

Dibu Martínez did it again. 🇦🇷

Two penalties saved, shushing the crowd in France (!) and helping Aston Villa to enter the semi finals.

❗️ Martínez was also booked in the first half then he got a second yellow card in the penalty shootout…

…but he wasn’t sent off as “player… pic.twitter.com/BchtspaMyT

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2024

Now the rule says that the player can only be sent off or suspended if there are two yellow cards or a direct red card during the fixture, and 'Dibu' received his second yellow after the fixture, and therefore, the player will not be suspended for the semi-finals.