Aston Villa captain Tyrone Mings on Wednesday conceded one of the most bizarre penalties in UEFA Champions League history.
Mings, returning from 14 months out with a knee injury, was being hailed pre-match for his comeback but the unexpected took place during the match.
Villa goalkeeper Martinez had tapped a goal-kick to Mings inside the penalty area but the former Ipswich defender simply picked the ball up.
Mings had clearly not realised the kick had already been taken and that the ball was in play. He was penalised for his error and Hans Vanaken stepped up to fire home what turned out to be the winner from the penalty spot.
Speaking after the match, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery did not blame the referee for the decision, despite being involved in a lengthy discussion with officials during the match.
He said: “We played a good first half. The second half the mistake changed everything. The key was the mistake we made.
Villa defender Ezri Konsa, added: “It is part of football. Our first loss in the Champions League and we have to move on, we cant be too down about it.
“I didn’t see it, I just saw the players running to the referee saying handball.
“It kills the game. If it is a handball, a deliberate one, why not give give him a second yellow? It is a mistake but we have to learn from it.”
“His mistake is completely strange. It’s only happened one time in all my life.”
