Emiliano Martinez is shown a straight RED CARD for a bizarre BLOCK on Rasmus Hojlund as Aston Villa's quest for Champions League football takes a damaging blow at Manchester United
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- Emiliano Martinez was sent off in what could be his last Aston Villa match
- The goalkeeper had no excuses for an egregious foul on Rasmus Hojlund
- LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?
Emiliano Martinez bade farewell to Aston Villa in calamity and damaged their Champions League hopes with a 'ridiculous' straight red card against Manchester United.
The Argentinian came charging out of his goal to meet the ball but Rasmus Hojlund knocked it past him - and so the goalkeeper simply dived into the striker around 25 yards from home and on the stroke of half-time.
Matty Cash had sold him short with the back pass but there was no justifying Martinez's action and he was given his marching orders straight away.
It could mark a dramatic and unceremonious exit from the club for Martinez, 32, who appears headed for the exit door after a fantastic five-season stint.
'That's ridiculous, what's doing?' said TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher.
Ally McCoist added: 'The first thing you've got to say, Matty Cash doesn't help him at all. But the goalkeeper - he (Hojlund) is going away from goal, yes, but he's got a real opportunity to knock it in with his left foot - you've got to let him go.
'I tell you what, I don't think he's scoring with his left foot, he's going that wide. It's unbelievable. He's taken it wide and he just barges into him.'
Martinez had been instrumental in keeping Villa in the game after United had five shots on target.
The score was 0-0 at the time and Villa were sat sixth in the Premier League - not enough for a Champions League spot.
Joe Cole said: 'It's just a rush of blood to the head. He knows exactly what he's doing. It's a bad pass back, then he takes a touch, he doesn't even try to disguise it.'
Peter Crouch added: 'He knows exactly what he's doing. He goes straight into him. The thing is, Hojlund is devoid of confidence, he's took it a bit wide, Pau Torres is getting back in - he Martinez has probably got to take the risk (of letting him past()
'He had to go, it was a clear opportunity.'
Martinez, who has been at Villa for five seasons, has been named the world's best goalkeeper twice but is likely to leave the club.
Earlier in May, Mail Sport reported that Villa were on the lookout for a new goalkeepers this summer, primarily because they need to make at least one significant sale before June 30 to ensure the club stay in line with Premier League spending rules.
Martinez is seen as an asset the club can make good profit on, similar to Douglas Luiz last summer.
And he already has three offers on the table.
According to Argentine outlet Ole, Martinez wants to keep playing at the highest level and he wants to play in the Champions League, casting doubt on ideas that Saudi Arabia may be his next destination.
He has one offer from the gulf state and two more from clubs in Europe. Whether he stays or goes could largely depend on Villa's Champions League qualification, too.
Villa's number one won't come cheap, so there will only be a small group of clubs with the financial muscle to sign him this summer - and the Villains need every bit of that money to comply with PSR.
The goalkeeper's partner, Mandinha Martinez, posted on her Instagram story after taking in the last home game of the season.
After thanking Villa fans for their support this season she posted a message to her hubby: 'So proud of you my love.'
Martinez is said to be very happy and settled in Birmingham with his wife and two children, likely another factor behind the tears at full-time.
Asked about Martinez’s teary show at the end of the match and what it means for his future, boss Unai Emery said: ‘Now we are focused on the match we are playing, of course. It is the last match here, and I don’t know.
‘We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field at the moment. They are responding and are focused on how we are preparing and playing each match.
