Emi Martinez BANNED by Uefa after little-known rule saw Aston Villa star booked twice in same match but not sent off

EMI MARTINEZ will MISS the first leg of Aston Villa's Europa League semi-final tie with Olympiakos.

The controversial Argentina stopper was booked in both legs of Villa's quarter-final tie with Lille.

And he received a second booking in Thursday's penalty shootout but WASN'T given his marching orders, much to the surprise of many.

But the World Cup winner hasn't completely escaped punishment as Uefa have slapped him with a ban for repeated cautions.

The basis for Martinez's suspension is outlined in Article 52.02(b) of Uefa's rule book, an excerpt of which reads: "In case of repeated cautions.

"B. from the first match in the group stage, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, which did not result in a red card, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.).”

Martinez wasn't sent for an early bath as yellow cards picked during normal and extra time aren't carried into shootouts.

The IFAB law 10 states: "Warnings and cautions (YCs) issued during the match (including during extra time) are not carried forward into kicks from the penalty mark (KFPM).

"A player who receives a YC during both the match and the KFPM is not sent off."

Martinez proved to be Villa's hero as he saved two penalties in the fiery shootout.

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He received his third booking of the tie for goading Lille fans after saving a spot kick from former Tottenham man Nabil Bentaleb.

And he sent Unai Emery's troops into the semis with a great stop of Benjamin Andre's kick.

Martinez, 31, was left baffled by the entire yellow card saga, which he believes was the result of his reputation preceding himself.

He said: "I've just got a bad reputation for time wasting because the other goalie was doing the same thing.

"But I get booked after 30 minutes when we're losing the game. I don't know what the ref wants from me.

"Then there was no ball on the penalty spot [in the shootout] so I asked the ball-boy for a ball, and then I get booked!

"I just don't understand the rules."

Martinez will be sitting on the sidelines when Villa host Greek giants Olympiakos at Villa Park on May 2.