Emiliano Martinez claims it was his ‘destiny’ to be the shoot-out hero for Aston Villa in their win over Lille… as Argentine’s antics help Unai Emery’s side reach Europa Conference League semi-finals

King of the dark arts Emiliano Martinez said it was his destiny to be the hero of the penalty shootout as Aston Villa booked their place in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.

The Argentine goalkeeper, who helped his country win the World Cup in similar circumstances 18 months ago, showed more heroics against Lille, saving penalties from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre to complete a 4-3 shootout victory after the quarter-final ended . 3-3 on aggregate.

Much of his trademark gamesmanship was on display as he silenced a defiant French crowd who had not forgotten what happened in Qatar and then caused confusion by receiving a yellow card from the referee in the middle of the shootout after had already been booked. normal time.

But bookings will not carry over to the shootout, meaning he could stay and send Villa to a first European semi-final since 1982.

“It’s been a hell of a ride my entire career. I am a believer and a hard worker and it was my destiny today,” he told TNT Sports.

The Argentinian saved two penalties as Aston Villa reached the semi-finals of the Conference League

“I always say throughout my career that in those moments I owe my teammates, even when we were watching Real Madrid last night the manager said we might get penalties and in those moments I own my box.”

Speaking about the shootout drama, where he was shown a yellow card by referee Ivan Kruzliak, he said: ‘It’s all about the reputation of wasting time because the other goalkeeper did exactly the same thing.

‘I got booked after half an hour and we were losing the match, so I don’t know what the referee wants from me.

‘Then there was no ball on the penalty spot and I asked for a ball from the ball boy and got a yellow card; I just don’t understand the rules.’

Martinez’s heroics saved Villa as they did not deserve the win having been outplayed for most of the second leg in France, with goals from Yusuf Yazici and Andre canceling out a 2–1 first leg lead.

Matty Cash’s goal in the 87th minute sent extra time, with Martinez ace in the shootout to give boss Unai Emery an eighth successive European quarter-final win.

Martinez was shown a yellow card in the shoot-out – his second of the evening – but remained on the pitch due to a little-known UEFA rule

Villa are the last remaining English team in Europe after their dramatic victory in France

The Spaniard, so productive in the Europa League with Sevilla and Villarreal, will have his eye on another European trophy.

And with Villa leading the race to finish in the top four in the Premier League, which would see Champions League qualification for the first time in the club’s history, the Argentina international says something special is on the horizon .

“This group of players and the managers are special, the owners are involved too, they always have our backs,” he said.

‘It feels like we’re going to do something special. I don’t know if it’s Champions League or Conference League, but we’re trying to do everything we can to push the football club.”