By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER
Published: 07:30 EST, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 07:30 EST, 31 December 2025
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has taken a swipe at the officiating during his side's humbling defeat at former club Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Villa had come into the match looking to move level on points with the Premier League leaders and strengthen claims they could be a contender in the title race.
Unai Emery's side, however, came unstuck in the second half as the returning Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring three minutes after the break, with Martinez arguably at fault for the goal, spilling the ball under pressure following a corner.
Strikes from Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus completed a 4-1 drubbing at the Emirates, and the Argentine goalkeeper appeared rattled as he was goaded by Arsenal supporters as he left the pitch upon the full-time whistle.
Now Martinez has taken to social media to aim a sly dig at referee Darren England's decision to award Gabriel's opening goal, posting a screenshot of the defender raising an elbow as he went to head the ball.
The caption on the Instagram post reads: 'The best team won today, we still in good position for the 2nd part of the season #elbowallow #utv.'
Emiliano Martinez has taken to Instagram to aim a dig at the referee for his performance in Aston Villa's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal
It appears that Martinez believes Gabriel's seemingly high elbow caused him to spill the ball and that the goal should have been disallowed.
There was a brief VAR check, led by Jarred Gillett, on the night but the officials at Stockley Park deemed there was no clear and obvious error by the referee, and the goal was awarded.
Arsenal supporters were keen to rub salt in Martinez's wounds after what was a crucial victory in their bid to win the Premier League title.
Images showed fans goading the former Gunners goalkeeper as he made his way down the tunnel following the final whistle.
Footage posted online showed Martinez reacting to the taunts, turning to exchange words with fans.
Martinez continued to engage with the Arsenal supporters as a member of Aston Villa's staff looked to lead him back to the Aston Villa dressing room.
One Arsenal fan could be heard shouting 'Rattled, you're rattled, he's so rattled' in response to Martinez.
There was also some drama in the dugout just moments after time was called on the title tussle, one that proved to be a one-sided fight.
The Argentine seemingly believes Gabriel's opener should have been ruled out for a foul on him
Aston Villa boss Emery came under fire for not shaking the hand of Mikel Arteta following the match, with the Spaniard appearing to quickly go down the tunnel after the final whistle.
Footage saw Arteta embracing members of his backroom staff before attempting to seek out Emery, who had already disappeared down the touchline.
'It is simple,' the Villa boss said in his post-match press conference. 'You can watch. After I finish the match, my routine is always quick; I shake hands, and I go with my coaches and my players to the dressing room.
'I was waiting, I was waiting. He was happy, of course, he was happy. He was with his coaches. And I decided to go inside. But for me it is no problem.'
Emery also told Sky Sports: 'Always my routine is go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside. If he is not doing the same rule, I can't wait… it was cold.'