Aston Villa’s Martinez suspended for 1st leg of UECL semis

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Emiliano Martinez will miss the first leg of Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal against Olympiacos due to suspension.

The Argentine goalkeeper picked up two yellow cards during Villa’s quarterfinal triumph over Lille on Thursday, with the second coming in the dramatic penalty shootout. Yellow cards don’t carry over to penalties, so Martinez was allowed to finish the game.

But Martinez will be forced to watch from the stands when Olympiacos visit Villa Park on May 2 as punishment for picking up three cautions over two legs in the quarterfinals.

The 2022 World Cup winner made two crucial stops against Lille to seal Villa’s first European semifinal berth since 1982.

Backup Robin Olsen will likely be in net when Aston Villa host Olympiacos. Martinez will be available for the second leg in Athens on May 9.