Emiliano Martinez sent Everton defender Yerry Mina a written apology in the summer
Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Colombia’s Yerry Mina will renew hostilities on Saturday as Aston Villa host Everton at Villa Park.
The pair were involved in a clip that went viral during the summer as their respective nations faced off in the Copa America semi-finals.
“You’re laughing but you’re nervous,” Martinez shouted to Mina before his spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
“I know you already, fool. I know you. Look out, I’m gonna eat you alive. I’m gonna eat you alive,” he continued.
Gregg Evans has detailed the behind-the-scenes state of play on The Athletic ahead of Everton’s trip to Birmingham this weekend.
He wrote: “There are no hard feelings from the summer, though, The Athletic understands.
“Martinez wrote to Mina after that Copa America game to explain his actions and apologise for any embarrassment it might have caused. He stressed in his message that the trash-talking was not a personal attack on the centre-half but more of a front to make himself feel strong, and that he had followed a similar routine with other penalty takers.
“Mina’s response is understood to have been friendly and professional.”
Sub-plot
There are various things to look out for this weekend, but Martinez and Mina coming up against each other once again is likely to attract headlines, particularly in South America.
Clips of their exchange went viral as Martinez won the battle of minds to help send his nation into the final of the Copa America, leaving Mina and his Colombian teammates crestfallen.
However, it sounds as if there is no animosity between the duo as they prepare to meet again on Saturday.
They look likely to start – Martinez is the undisputed Villa number one and should return after missing the Chelsea defeat last weekend, while Mina started against Burnley on Monday and should keep his place.
In other Everton news, the Blues have signed this attacker after a seven-figure deal was agreed.
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