Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez half-time message revealed as John McGinn hails Jadon Sancho for ‘best performance’ in win over Lille

React to this story

Jadon Sancho, John McGinn and Unai Emery were all effusive in their praise of "madman" Emiliano Martinez after the Argentina international set up a gorgeous breakaway goal in Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Lille in the UEFA Europa League last 16. Villa march on into the quarter-finals of the competition, and Sancho believes his new club can go "very far" with a battle with Bologna on the horizon.

Sancho reveals Martinez half-time message behind memorable goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jadon Sancho revealed that Emiliano Martinez gave him a tactical message at half-time, one which led to Aston Villa's spectacular counter-attacking opener.

Villa were in a precarious position in their UEFA Europa League last 16 clash against Lille, 1-0 up on aggregate less than 10 minutes into the second half.

But quick thinking and a pinpoint accurate punt from the FIFA World Cup-winning goalkeeper saw Jadon Sancho and John McGinn combine to give the hosts breathing space on aggregate.

Transfers

Mudryk linked with surprise transfer - Paper Round

a day ago

Unai Emery's side eventually ran out 2-0 winners, and Sancho hailed his keeper for his astute reading of the game and decisive instructions at the interval.

"To be fair, at half-time he said it's one-v-one with me and Tammy [Abraham] and he said just run in behind. As soon as I saw he got the ball, I just kept on running," Sancho told TNT Sports after the game.

"I believed in him and I saw the ball and then as I chopped inside, I saw John McGinn and I just had to play it to him. He was in a much better position [to shoot], so I knew John was going to finish.

Watch as Martinez plays INCREDIBLE pass in build up to McGinn goal - 'Absolute magic'

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We’ve missed him [McGinn] a lot. He’s a great guy to be around. He brings a lot of energy into the changing room. We're so happy to have him back and happy to assist him today."

McGinn was making just his second start for Villa since returning from a two-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, during which time his side won four of their 10 matches in all competitions.

As a result of the Scot's absence, Sancho was given a more prominent role in the team and McGinn believes that the Englishman's display on Thursday was the best he had delivered since signing on loan in the summer.

McGinn told TNT Sports: "It was brilliant from Emi - what a pass. But I think it highlights Jadon's best performance in a Villa shirt. He was man of the match by a mile tonight.

"The manager was giving me grief before the game, telling me to get in the box. Great ball from Emi, great goal, and it let us relax after that."

Martinez was seen taunting the Lille fans before the match and his huge personality has made him something of a cult hero among the players, with McGinn calling him "a madman".

"He's a madman. I know he's obviously a family man and a father, but he's like a big kid inside. He's a lively character, but obviously a top goalkeeper. Even at 2-0 he made a great save," McGinn added.

"But I was just wanting to thank Jadon for the assist, and I was looking for him, and he was nearly at Witton Station!"

Emery also had words of praise for Argentina international Martinez, noting that this was not the first time he had used his exceptional distribution to devastating effect.

"A very good assist, a very good long ball. Of course, he did it last year as well, against Brugge with one pass to Rashford. I remember it," Emery told TNT Sports.

"And of course it's important how the players can get some combinations, even with the goalkeeper like that, doing this pass."

'He's like a big kid!' - McGinn loved Martinez celebration

Video credit: TNT Sports

Villa are now looking forward to the prospect of battling Bologna over two legs in the last eight, after the Serie A side defeated Roma 4-3 after extra-time in their all-Italian skirmish.

Nottingham Forest or Porto could be the English club's opponents in the semi-finals and Sancho insisted that Villa could "go very far" in the Europa League if they can keep replicating Thursday's performance.

Sancho said: "It is a lovely feeling [to go through]. Tonight has been incredible with the fans. How we stuck to the game plan, that’s what we needed and, hopefully, we keep that momentum into the Premier League.

"We have got to take it game by game. It's going to be a tough competition. Europe is very different. Today, we stuck to the game plan. We worked hard on and off the ball. If we keep [doing] this, I’m sure we can go very far in this competition."

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

UEFA Super Cup