Aston Villa's hopes of securing a coveted Champions League spot suffered a major setback on Monday night, and goalkeeper Emi Martinez has now broken his silence on the devastating 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
The Argentine World Cup winner delivered a brutally honest assessment of Villa's performance at Villa Park, where two late goals from Jarell Quansah and Cody Gakpo sealed their fate after Ollie Watkins had cancelled out an early own goal.
Champions League Dream Fading Fast
Speaking after the match, Martinez didn't mince words about what the loss means for Villa's European ambitions. "We are devastated," he admitted. "We knew how important this game was for our Champions League hopes."
The defeat leaves Villa five points clear of Tottenham, but their rivals now hold two crucial games in hand, putting Unai Emery's side in a precarious position with just one match remaining in their season.
Martinez's Candid Villa Assessment
Martinez highlighted the team's collective disappointment while acknowledging the quality of their opponents. "We wanted to give our fans something special, but Liverpool showed why they're fighting for the title," the goalkeeper stated.
He particularly emphasised the psychological blow of conceding late goals that turned the match decisively in Liverpool's favour. "To concede twice in the final minutes makes it even more difficult to take," Martinez added.
The Final Push Against Crystal Palace
Despite the setback, Martinez insisted Villa must regroup for their final Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace. "We have to pick ourselves up for one last push," he declared.
The goalkeeper remains determined to end the season on a high note, even as Champions League qualification now appears increasingly unlikely. "Our supporters deserve our best effort, and we'll give everything at Palace," Martinez promised.
