Emi Martinez injury scare as Aston Villa 'keeper knocked out in Argentina draw

Emiliano Martinez has moved to allay fears after being carried off on a stretcher during Argentina's World Cup qualifier in Colombia.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper was substituted during the Albiceleste's 2-2 draw after losing consciousness during the encounter.

The £20million goalkeeper, who has made the No1 spot his own for his country after an outstanding Premier League campaign, came out to claim a routine cross into the penalty.

However, under challenge from Everton's Yerry Mina, Martinez landed heavily and slammed the back of his head and neck against the pitch on landing.

After treatment lasting more than five minutes he seemed intent to carry on, but having been Ko'd for a moment doctors made the decision to immediately substitute him, with Porto's Agustin Marchesin stepping in.

Now Martinez has sought to quash any fears over the extent of his injury.

Speaking after the game, he said: "I'm better, it was a strong hit but the doctors did their job.

"Obviously I wanted to continue playing, the anger of being taken out, and I found out that they drew at the end.

"It's a bitter taste but I'm fine.

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"They took me out because I lost consciousness a little; I hit the back of my neck hard but the crying and the anger was because it was my second match with the national team and I didn't want to be substituted.

"But the doctors did their job."

Martinez will return to Buenos Aires with the rest of the squad ahead of the upcoming Copa America.

Argentina dropped two points in their World Cup qualifying quest, after throwing away a 2-0 lead and succumbing to a 94th minute equaliser.

Cristian Romero, linked to Man Utd, opened the scoring after three minutes, before PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes doubled the lead five minutes later.

They held that lead and looked comfortable at half-time, but Lionel Scaloni's men were pegged back early in the second period; Nicolas Otamendi was called for a foul and Luis Muriel slotted home the penalty.

And late in the day, Miguel Borja scored with the game's final kick to hand the hosts an equaliser and a share of the spoils.

Scaloni said: "We deserved the three points. I have to congratulate the players because they played a good match in the heat, on a difficult pitch against a good opponent.