Emiliano Martinez faces awkward World Cup reunion after brutally mocking Kylian Mbappe
Emiliano Martinez will line up against his opposite number from the World Cup final, Hugo Lloris, as Aston Villa travel to Tottenham on Sunday.
The Argentina goalkeeper, 30, has arrived back in the United Kingdom and is due to return to Villa’s training ground on Thursday after extended celebrations in his homeland. Martinez played a vital role as Lionel Messi and Co. defeated Lloris’ France in the World Cup final via a penalty shootout at Lusail Stadium.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper proceeded to goad Kylian Mbappe – who scored a hat-trick against Argentina – in the wake of La Albiceleste’s triumph. Martinez was roundly criticised for his provocative and unnecessary actions, with Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira branding them “stupid”.
The latest chapter of the saga will see Martinez and France captain Lloris go head to head once again, this time in the Premier League this weekend. The former has returned to the Midlands and is expected to be available to face Spurs in Sunday’s 2pm kick-off, with Villa hoping to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat by Liverpool on Boxing Day.
As well as receiving a hero’s welcome, Martinez can expect some stern words from Villa manager Unai Emery, who is fully aware about the nature of “some celebrations” aimed at Mbappe. The Spaniard said: “When you have big emotions, it is sometimes difficult to control them.
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“I will speak with him (Martinez) next week about some celebrations, but I respect that he is now with his national team. When he’s with us, under our responsibility, we can speak about it.”
Martinez was given 12 days off by Villa – the maximum they could grant him – after winning the Golden Glove in Qatar. As well as taking on Lloris at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he will also face a fellow Argentine hero in the form of Cristian Romero.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte has confirmed the defender is set to rejoin his club teammates ahead of the weekend fixture, which comes after Tottenham came from two goals down to salvage a point at Brentford. The north Londoners go into the match firmly in the mix of clubs chasing Champions League qualification, while Villa are in mid-table after replacing Steven Gerrard with Emery.
The fixture could have added bite to it after France Football Federation president Noel Le Graet submitted a formal complaint over Martinez’s behaviour following Argentina’s victory over Les Bleus. Lloris failed to save any of the four penalties he faced in the shootout but guided France to victory over Croatia in the final in Russia four-and-a-half years earlier.
