Jakarta - Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has defended goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's eccentric behavior ahead of his team's meeting with PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals in Paris, which will take place on Wednesday (10/4) early morning WIB.
"He is a mature person. He is responsible. He is getting better at controlling his emotions. I also worked with him at Arsenal, before I came here, at Aston Villa," Emery said at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by AFP on Tuesday.
“I think compared to when he arrived at Aston Villa five years ago and now, he is a different Emiliano. I think he is more mature. He is a better player, a better goalkeeper, and now my conversation with him is always the same. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he got that award here in Paris,” he continued.
Martinez was accused of provoking PSG fans by wearing a cap that appeared to mock France's defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, when he arrived in Paris.
The Argentine was caught on camera on Villa's official account wearing a hat depicting a French rooster, along with the Argentina logo and the four trophies he has won with the Argentina national team.