This Tuesday, as part of the second leg of the Champions League 2024-2025 quarter-finals (Paris won the first leg 3-1), Paris Saint-Germain take on Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 9pm, CET). José Maria Sanchez Martinez (41) has been chosen to referee the match. He has a wealth of Champions League experience, with 13 matches to his name.
The man with the whistle will be assisted by Raul Cabañero and Iñigo Prieto. The 4th referee will be Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz. Video assistance will be provided by Carlos del Cerro Grande and Cesa Soto Grado.
Yellow cards –
With Mr Sanchez Martinez on the whistle, we can expect yellow cards to be handed out relatively “normally” during the match. Indeed, while the average in Ligue 1 per match is 3.53 (standard deviation 0.39), Tuesday’s referee has given an average of 3.54 yellows per match in his entire Champions League career (Transfermarkt figures). Let’s hope it’s with the right choices and an easing of tension.
Direct red cards –
The man on the whistle on Tuesday was not too severe when it came to direct red cards. Indeed, Sanchez Martinez has 0 red cards in his Champions League career, while the French average per match is 0.17 (standard deviation 0.07). As long as it’s thanks to good management, all the better.
Second yellow cards –
José Maria Sanchez Martinez is not particularly accustomed to sending off a player after his first yellow card in a match, as he has given the same player a second caution an average of 0.08 times per match in the Champions League (i.e. once in his career). This is just below the French average of 0.09 (standard deviation 0.03). With few yellows and reds, this is quite logical.
Penalties –
In terms of penalties, the man with the whistle on Tuesday is lower than the French average with 0.15 penalties whistled per match, whereas in Ligue 1 the average is 0.34 (standard deviation of 0.08).
History –
In his 13 matches since 2023 and mainly this season (6 matches in 2024-2025), the Spanish referee has yet to come up against PSG or Aston Villa.
