Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez wrote to Yerry Mina to apologise to the Everton defender for his actions during the Copa America this summer, according to The Athletic.
Martinez’s Argentina met Mina’s Colombia in the semi-final of the competition in July on route to beating Brazil in the final. The tie went to penalties, with Martinez saving three of Los Cafeteros’ attempts – including Mina’s to put La Albiceleste ahead.
Martinez taunted the 26-year-old as he prepared to take his spot-kick after already saving Davinson Sanchez’s effort. The Villans stopper proclaimed: “You’re laughing, but you’re nervous. I know you already, fool. I know you. Look out, I’m gonna eat you alive.”
Martinez has since written to Mina to apologise for any embarrassment his actions might have caused the Everton defender. The Aston Villa goalkeeper stressed his comments were not a personal attack, but more so intended to psych himself up.
Additionally, the Argentina camp knew of Mina’s attempt at mind games during Colombia’s quarter-final with Uruguay. The 35-cap ace tried to psych Fernando Muslera out before squeezing his penalty home. He then posed sucking his thumb and dancing to celebrate.
Lionel Messi also taunted the Toffees enforcer after Martinez’s semi-final save, sarcastically clapping and telling him to ‘dance now’. Mina offered a professional and friendly response to Martinez’s justification, and there are no hard feelings between the pair.
Mina and Martinez will meet again on Saturday evening when Everton visit Aston Villa in the Premier League. It will be their first physical encounter since the Copa America. With the Toffees looking to maintain their unbeaten start and the Villans chasing a second win.
Will Mina and Martinez spark again when Everton visit Aston Villa?
Mina and Martinez are unlikely to be in a similar situation when Everton visit Aston Villa as they were at the Copa America. The defender is very unlikely to take a penalty, should the Blues win a spot-kick. With their only direct encounters likely coming at set-pieces.
Mina will look to cause Martinez issues with his physicality in the Villans’ penalty area from any dead ball situations. While the 29-year-old will be hoping to keep a second clean sheet of the season after shutting out Newcastle.
Martinez and Mina have never faced off in domestic football, with their only prior meetings coming on international duty. Colombia and Argentina drew 2-2 in a World Cup qualifier in June before July’s Copa America showdown.
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