Aston Villa and Argentina's national team goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been suspended by UEFA for the first leg of the 2023/2024 Conference League semifinal.
During the return quarter-final match where Villa played against Lille away (1-2 in regular time, 4-3 on penalties), the 31-year-old keeper received two yellow cards: in the 39th minute and during the penalty shootout.
The match referee, Ivan Kruzliak from Slovakia, did not send off the Birmingham team's goalkeeper as yellow cards during the match do not apply to penalty shootouts. However, despite not being sent off, Martinez will miss the first semifinal.
Following the two matches, Villa progressed to the semi-final stage where they will face Greek side Olympiacos. The first match will take place in Birmingham on May 2nd.