Emi Martinez fires two-word Aston Villa message after controversial Lille penalty red card escape

It had to be him. It's always him.

When it comes to penalty shootouts there are fewer more reliable, and almost certainly no bigger entertainers, than Aston Villa's Emi Martinez. With a first-leg lead to defend and a raucous home crowd to frustrate, it was no surprise that he dominated the game's key moments.

Booed throughout the first half as Unai Emery's side once more looked to create a footing in the match as they had done at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal on Sunday, Martinez embraced every second of it. The 31-year-old used every ounce of his experience and knowhow to help anger the supporters.

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Villa took their time on the ball, attempted to draw on their French opponents, and tried to calm the flow of a game that hit them hard. Yusuf Yazici levelled the tie early on in the game and Villa were left to battle on from there.

Martinez had to be sharp to stop his side going behind on aggregate, leaping out to spread his body and put himself on the line to stop a close-range header. The ball hit his head and left him needing medical attention, a fact which only further annoyed those behind his goal.

The former Arsenal man was then shown a yellow card before half-time for timewasting. It didn't much speed up his goal kicks, though.

Martinez was unable to do anything to stop Lille from taking the lead with 25 minutes left but was on hand to celebrate Matty Cash's dramatic late equaliser. Then to penalties, then to his time.

Having helped Lionel Messi win the World Cup via penalties, Martinez was on hand again here. He denied ex-Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb first to give Villa the advantage.

Stationed in front of a wall of red shirts in the home end, Martinez didn't let up in showing his joy. He gave it the big 'un as only he can, revelling in the pressure of the moment.

He didn't let up either, goading the Lille supporters into yet more aggressive chants and shouts, seeming to enjoy each second. Then came the moment. The referee booked Martinez for his actions and to all intents and purposes, it looked like he had been sent off in a penalty shootout.

Douglas Luiz was shocked, had to run over the mediate following Martinez's continued demonstrations with the fans away to his left this time. Martinez himself didn't appear to know what the protocol was.

He was allowed to go on despite it seeming like he ought to have a red card to his name. Commentators and viewers were left confused, Martinez himself didn't look sure that his place in the goal was legal.

It turns out that bookings from 'normal time' don't carry over into penalty shootouts. You learn something new every day.

Martinez took advantage of this. He went on to win the shootout, win the tie, and deliver a European semi-final for Villa. He wasn't done there, oh no of course not.

His final save was greeted with a jig of the legs as he faced the home fans. He turned and ran shyly towards his onrushing teammates, waiting for confirmation from the referee that his team had indeed won. There was slight confusion as it seemed for a second like the kick might have to be retaken.

This was just another moment of drama ultimately in the palm of Martinez's hand though. He started his dance again, shushing the crowd, running past the Lille fans and leading the stream of white Villa shirts over to the away end instead.

It was, of course, him who then summed it all up on social media afterwards. Staring into the camera of the Villa admin he said simply: "Let's go!" He repeated it again: "Let's go." He finished: "Let's go all the way from now, let's go!"

Let's go indeed. Never change Emi, never change.