Unai Emery slams Emi Martinez for ‘unacceptable’ decision that ‘cost’ Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Unai Emery didn’t hold anything back after Aston Villa lost 4-2 to Arsenal, as he called out goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for a costly on-field decision. Despite going ahead twice courtesy of Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho, the Villans collapsed late on to allow the visitors to net two goals in added time.

With the score level at 2-2 heading beyond the 90th minute, it seemed as if Villa were to hold on for a brilliant point against the title challengers. A couple of unfortunate Martinez errors later, however, and the Gunners went on to claim all three.

The first was perhaps unlucky as Jorginho’s effort thundered off the crossbar and deflected in off Martinez’s head to make it 3-2 to Arsenal, but a last-ditch attempt to increase Villa’s chances of equalising from a 97th-minute corner failed miserably.

Martinez rushed forward to offer an extra head in the penalty area but Arsenal were able to break on the counter and they netted an easy fourth through substitute Gabriel Martinelli. This call from Villa’s man between the sticks did not go down well with Emery as the Argentine ignored his own role, instead taking on another.

“I don’t like it and I told him at the end of the match,” a frustrated Emery said post-match. “You can go 100 times to go and score in the 90th minute [as a goalkeeper] and it only happens two or three times in history. In the transition, [for Arsenal] it was much easier. I am going to tell him in the next days – we have to be consistent.

“With the result, I’m very disappointed and very frustrated. It is embarrassing to lose two games 2-4 at home. Collectively and overall it was poor. Eight goals at home in two matches is not normal. The performance can’t continue like that. Today we started winning 1-0 and 2-1, but we didn’t keep going with our game plan to try and control the game with ball possession,” Emery continued.

Saturday’s defeat made it three defeats in a row for Villa, with 11 goals conceded in that period. Going forward things have been decent as five goals have been scored including four from Ollie Watkins, but defensively Emery’s team have fallen apart of late. Villa remain on 28 points in the Premier League after 23 games played.