Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has found himself a new supporter in former goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who has criticised rules designed to go against the Argentine star.
Chilavert has recently been speaking to Libero, relayed by TNT Sports, about the Aston Villa goalkeeper and his perception of his behaviour.
The World Cup winner has again found himself being criticised in the media after his display against Lille in the UEFA Conference League.
He was booked in the eventual penalty shootout having been perceived to be time wasting, something which saw him suspended for the clash with Olympiacos this week.
It’s not the first time he’s gotten into trouble in recent years, with the Argentine goalkeeper regularly employing tactics to give himself the edge in penalty shootouts, something which has been effective in the Copa America and the World Cup.
His actions regularly annoy rival fans and indeed led to a change by football’s authorities, who have since blocked goalkeepers from being able to disrupt opposition penalty takers.
That new law was very much seen as a direct response to the Aston Villa star, something Chilavert seemingly thinks is nonsense.
“I am always in favour of him, he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” he said.
“He conveys personality, he is sober, he is not complicated, he handles well with his feet, and he works well with aerial play.
“Why do we have to wait for an old man in his international board suit to come out with a regulation in which he says that goalkeepers cannot speak, make gestures… The one who kicks has the upper hand.”
