Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has revealed that he broke his finger during the warm-up of the Europa League final.
The Argentine had to be quickly checked over by a physio before playing the full 90 minutes.
Despite this, Martinez went on to keep a clean sheet in a commanding 3-0 victory, to win Villa’s first European trophy in 44 years.
Speaking after the game, the Villain’s goalkeeper said: “Today I broke my finger during the warm-up, and for me, every bad thing brings something good. I’ve done this my whole life and I’ll keep doing it.
“Should I be worried? Well, I’ve never had a broken finger before.
“Every time I caught the ball, it went the other way. But these are things you have to go through, and I’m proud to defend Aston Villa.”
The injury did not prevent Martinez from joining the celebrations, even lifting his manager, Unai Emery, on his shoulders.
Strikes from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers sealed a comprehensive victory for the Villains against the German opponents.
Emi Martinez broke his finger in the warm-up, but went on to keep a clean sheet
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REUTERS
Villa’s supporters, who had waited nearly half a century for another continental final, witnessed their side deliver a commanding performance on the continent’s second grandest stage.
Tielemans opened the scoring four minutes before half-time with a superb volley, converting from a cleverly worked short corner routine to fire into the bottom corner.
Buendia doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, bending an effort from 18 yards beyond goalkeeper Noah Atubolu and into the top corner.
Rogers completed the scoring just before the hour mark, sliding in at the near post to convert Buendia’s cross.
Martinez celebrates with his manager, Unai Emery, after their triumph
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Unai Emery hailed his side after their Europa League triumph, hoping it would be the start of more.
The Spaniard said: “The ambition of the club is important, and how we did the process. With this trophy, we are showing our development as well. My dream when I arrived here was to play in Europe, play for trophies.
“This is the first one we are achieving, we played a semi-final before, and the experiences we are having like today is important with how we can get better.
“It makes sense with this club because after 1982, this club won the European Cup. Achieving this one that makes us so happy and proud of the way we are working, but we are not going to stop.”
Emery won his fifth Europa League with Aston Villa
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The Spaniard played down comparisons to him being the ‘king’ of this competition, focusing on the work of his squad.
He said: “I am really proud [and] grateful for competing in Europe, and through the clubs, supporters, and history like Villarreal and Sevilla, I am thankful for them.
“Because without them I am not being successful in this competition. This is the reason I am not feeling the king of this competition, I am feeling thankful.
“We are the king together, and of course, I have my responsibility as a coach to get it.”
