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Villa boss Emery defends Martinez: We all make mistakes

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is standing by his World Cup winning goalkeeper.

The Midlands club were beaten 2-0 by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Emery refused to criticise Emi Martinez after his error led to Forest's second goal and sealed the game for the home side.

"We are all human and can make a mistake," Emery said to reporter afterwards.

"It is not just the goalkeeper. I am never punishing the mistake of the players because I want to try to get confidence in everyone.

"When we are facing other teams we have to try and get better than them.

“Never punishing the mistakes. It is not just Emiliano, it is everyone."

Speaking about Villa's defeat, Emery added: "I know to play at home for us is amazing and it's been brilliant. To play away, the opponent feels the same and try to connect with their supporters.

"When we conceded the first goal, they were increasing the emotional moment trying to take the energy and keep the result. That's the most important for us, to try to increase our level away. How? Reduce our mistakes and be strong defensively and try to impose our qualities and skills.

"Today we made mistakes but for 80 minutes had the control of the game with good positioning and good progress on the pitch. In the end we created chances."

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Ansser Sadiq

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