"He is unbelievable, isn't he? His antics - I heard someone mention Bruce Grobbelaar earlier and he is exactly the same. He is that character.

"But, when you take away all of those antics, he is a fantastic goalkeeper.

"He is arguably the world's number one goalkeeper at the moment, but he has got that added extrovert character that comes out in these situations.

"These are the situations where I always used to think that the goalkeeper has the edge. There is no pressure on a goalkeeper, and you should score from 12 yards, but he makes it that much more difficult for a penalty taker with his antics.

"When I was coaching in the Premier League, we used to do penalty strategies where we would have a history of penalty takers and which way they would go, the different heights, all sorts.

"But from a goalkeeper's perspective, back in the day, we weren't allowed to move on the line. We had to stand still and we had to move at the last second. Nowadays, they can move along the line, pull funny faces and do whatever they want.

"So it is completely different - it is totally different.

"Emi Martinez will have worked with a goalkeeping coach and he will have known all of their penalty takers, their favoured sides and whether they go high or low - he would have had all of that information before they had even started the game."

A legendary Villa ‘keeper in Nigel Spink appraises Villa’s legendary ‘keeper Emi Martinez


“Lille was a difficult match and a team to play when we got them in the draw. They are playing well, they are organised and they were focusing on the two matches without playing in the league.

"Of course as coaches we can try and use our experiences to help in every match. Here in Lille, it was a difficult match against a difficult team. They are very organised and very competitive so they were very focused. But we did it!

“When we won 2-1, we spoke before today, talking about how difficult it will be to beat them again. Mentally, we thought about the possibility of playing extra-time and penalties. We did it. Myself, I try to understand each moment, trying to never be frustrated when they were winning.

"I try to understand each moment on the pitch and not get frustrated. They were better than us in the first half but then we scored a goal.

"Lille played very well in the first half and took a deserved advantage. But we knew this was always a possibility. They've been successful at home for a long time. We had the advantage from the first leg, so we had to be resilient and wait for our moment, and we did it.

“We tried to get our moments, playing in our positioning and getting the goal. And we did. In extra-time, both teams were tired and neither side were aggressive in attack. In penalties, it’s about keeping calm and focusing with the players which players were 100 per cent convinced to shoot a penalty. In the end it was fantastic.

"There's always luck involved in a penalty shoot-out. In the end, we won, but we accept that it was very difficult. Congratulations to Lille because they played and competed very well.

"Emi Martínez is very important for us. He has his personality and his personality in the dressing room is very important because he is a leader with his experiences. He has a really brilliant mentality.

"And then on the pitch he has his personality and he played fantastic. He saved two penalty shots so of course I am very proud of him. I am very proud of all the players."

"Yesterday you [the media] were all asking about me about the reception he will get here in France and you could see it throughout the game.

"He is very experienced and he was trying to control his emotions but the supporters were pushing him. I believe in him and he is mature but with personality. He is always under his own control.

"Of course, we have our priority as well in this Conference League to be a contender and getting a trophy. As well, we are involved in the league to possibly play in the Champions League.

"That was my objective when I arrived here. I spoke about trying to increase our level in the Premier League, and we've gradually been getting better. And we want to be present in Europe. Conference League, Europa League... hopefully we can play in the Champions League with Aston Villa. We have to enjoy the moment we are having, try to build our experience and work hard to get more."

Unai Emery, post match.


"It’s been a hell of a ride all of my career.

”I’m a believer and a hard worker. It was my destiny to win here again.

"I have a reputation for time-wasting because the other goalkeeper was doing the same thing. I got booked in the first half even though we were losing the game, so I don’t know what the ref wants from me. Then, there was no ball on the penalty spot, so I was asking for a ball from the ball boy, and then I get booked - I don’t understand the rules.

"I always say that all my career and my personal performances, my team needs me in those moments. Yesterday we watched Real Madrid vs Man City, the manager has always said maybe we can go to penalties and in my head in those moments I own my box.

"This group of players and the manager is really special. The owners are really involved as well, Wes and Nassef, they are really behind us. It feels like we’re going to do something special. I don’t know if it is the Champions League or the Conference League, but we will do everything we can for this football club."

"I love this football club and playing in a semi-final for them, it is incredible.

"My career just keeps going up and up. You need to celebrate little victories. After 42 years we are in a European semi-final. It's incredible.

"The fans should give us a lift on Sunday against Bournemouth, people will be tired so we need the home fans to give us a boost to go again.

"I get motivated with the fans when they throw stuff on my back. All my life has been throwing stuff on my back and I always get up. It gives my fuel to perform.

"We want to go all the way. That's the message we just sent now: 'we're going all the way, we're going all the way'. We need to have that mentality of when we have to go away we need to secure the game at home."

Emiliano Martínez.


"I always try to stay calm and prepare myself mentally.

”When I'm walking up to the ball, I know what I'm going to do. I try to take a deep breath, step up and put it away.

"We've got a huge semi-final ahead of us against Olympiacos. Two big games. And in the Premier League we really want to keep hold of fourth place and reach the Champions League. We'll try to finish the season on a high note."

Youri Tielemans.


"Over the two games I think Emiliano Martínez was decisive

"He is a great goalkeeper. In the first game we had a couple of real opportunities and he made some great saves. Today, in the penalty shoot-out. He's a great goalkeeper, that's all I can say.

"No, that doesn't matter. His behaviour - I want to talk about the game only. I'm really proud of my players, really proud of what we did in both games. Everyone agrees with me when I say we deserved to go through. But football is like this. They were better in the shootout and we have to accept it.

"I haven't seen many teams perform like we did against Aston Villa, even in the Premier League. We dominated two games and created so many good chances. Today we won the game. I think it would have been difficult to do better."

Paulo Fonseca


“We have time.”

What Leon Bailey repeatedly told his teammates, gesturing towards the big screens at either end after replacing Moussa Diaby with 68 minutes on the clock. The Emery effect.


“Emiliano Martinez will be suspended for the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg against Olympiacos FC scheduled on 2 May 2024.

“The basis for his suspension is set forth in Article 52.02(b) of the Regulations of the UEFA Europa Conference League (2023/24 Season).

“From the first match in the group stage, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, which did not result in a red card, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.).

“The player has been cautioned on three separate occasions during the quarter-finals, as follows:
* One yellow card during the UECL Quarter-Final 1st Leg match played on 11.04.2024
* One yellow card during the UECL Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match played on 18.04.2024
* One yellow card during the UECL Quarter-Final 2nd Leg penalty shout-out on 18.04.2024. For the sake of clarity, the cautions of 18 April 2024 did not result in a red card because the second caution occurred during the penalty shout-out (this is provided for in the Laws of the Game).”

Furious hindsight justification from UEFA.


“I got booked in the first half even though we were losing the game, so I don’t know what the ref wants from me. Then, there was no ball on the penalty spot, so I was asking for a ball from the ball boy, and then I get booked - I don’t understand the rules.”

The final word from Emiliano Martínez.
But hey, we all know truth don’t make the headlines.


"It was one of our poorest performances.

”The atmosphere was very good, just as it has been throughout the whole competition. The Lille players were giving it absolutely everything, to try and find the smallest margins to win, jumping around, trying to get us sent-off. We had to deal with that, deal with them being a very good team.

“They played well in both legs. We rode the storm and managed to get a goal right at the end. In extra time we had a couple of chances but penalties were inevitable.

“We are delighted but we are going to have to get used to it. In the semi-final it will be another hostile atmosphere. We know it is going to be much louder than tonight.

“You are always confident when Emi is in goal he is going to save penalties. He is one of the best in the world at it. When the boys stepped up so confidently you just expected Emi would save one or two. He managed to do that, so we’re delighted.

“He is probably the first person to get two yellows (and not get sent-off). I was panicking. I was trying to get him to calm down. But I am not going to tell anyone how to act.

“He can do what he wants, as long as he saves two penalties. I was worried about the second yellow. From the bench, we knew he would be fine. So we were a bit more relaxed. I don’t know what the news is for the semi-final. He will miss it, which is the disappointing thing. But we were so close to going out tonight we were only thinking about getting through.

“It says a lot about the character that players are playing through pain. Leon we did not expect to be here, never mind coming on and putting in a performance like that.

“Several players, including myself, had off nights. But that is when you look at the squad. We have had many injuries, many games. You are in the trenches now. You look to your left and right and hope someone digs you out.

“When I signed they were desperate to get back on these European adventures.

“You see the same faces, the die-hards. It is brilliant to see them enjoying these nights.

“We did not want to go out tonight and ruin any plans they have made. Thankfully we were able to get through and it is just great to see us getting this club back to where it belongs. Hopefully we can kick on now.

“It feels like we have been growing and embracing the challenges ahead of us. That game at Albion I was raging because Albert Adomah was appointed penalty taker ahead of me.

“I was taking the sixth, believe it or not. Tonight I got the curly finger. If I was still on the pitch I was hitting the first one. It was very strange being on the side of the pitch. It was the same when we qualified for the Euros with Scotland. It is horrible. It is fine when you are on the pitch. Of course, it is nerve-wracking.

“But when you can’t control what your team is doing, it is even worse. That is when I just spoke to my mom, she confirmed she did not watch a single minute of the game.”

John McGinn.