PSG icon slams 'annoying' Emiliano Martinez ahead of Aston Villa clash

Aston Villa goalkeeper has been slammed as "annoying" by legend Bernard Lama as the controversial star prepares to face the French side in the . Martinez is public enemy No 1 in France after poking fun at following Argentina's World Cup final triumph in 2022.

as he led the Argentina celebrations, leading to huge criticisms from figures in France.

And this week he added fuel to the fire by wearing a hat with a French cockerel next to pictures of Argentina's recent successes, including the World Cup win and Copa America triumph, as he arrived in Paris.

Martinez is set to receive a hostile reception in the French capital and club icon Lama admitted he was irritated by the keeper's antics, insisting he was a "good goalkeeper and nothing more".

"He’s a bit annoying with his provocations," he told RMC Sport. "I don’t like that. But otherwise, he’s still a good goalkeeper, nothing more. He’s not a great goalkeeper. He’s a good goalkeeper who has good spells, who had his spell at the 2022 World Cup. He’s not THE great goalkeeper."

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Martinez previously cleared up the Mbappe chant incident by insisting he had great respect for the now-Real Madrid star and that he complimented him after 2022 final.

"It's a locker room thing," he told France . "It should never have come out. When France beat us in 2018, I remember there were chants about Messi [involving N'Golo Kante]. Same thing, if a team beats Brazil, they'll be singing about Neymar.

"There's nothing personal against Mbappe. I respect him a lot. If people sing about him or Neymar, it's because they are top players. After the final, I told him that it was a pleasure to play against him and that he almost won the match on his own."

Ahead of the quarter-final tie, came out in defence of Martinez, saying he had become much more mature in the last five years having worked with him at too.

"He is mature," Emery said at his pre-match press conference. "He is responsible. He is getting better at controlling his emotions. I was working with him in Arsenal as well, before I arrived here in .

"I think compared with when he arrived at Aston Villa five years ago and now, he is a different Emiliano.

"I think he is more mature. He is a better player, a better goalkeeper and now my conversation with him is always the same. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the - he got the award for it here in Paris."

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