Villarreal star Alex Baena was cruelly shown a red card after paying tribute to the club's late vice president Jose Manuel Llaneza.
Premier League-linked winger Baena scored his eighth goal of the season to equalise for the Yellow Submarine against Almeria in LaLiga, and marked the occasion by lifting his shirt to reveal a t-shirt bearing the message 'thanks for everything, Llaneza'. The 21-year-old had already been booked, though, and referee Ricardo de Burgos showed him a second yellow card followed by a red.
Vice-president Llaneza had died at the age of 74. And, after the 10-man hosts snatched a remarkable late victory, further tributes poured out for a man described by the Spanish club as one of the "great architects" of their success.
"The club wishes to express its deep and immense sorrow, sadness and dismay at his irreparable loss and to send its most sincere love and affection to his family and loved ones," Villarreal said in a statement after Llaneza's death. A minute's silence was held before kick-off against Almeria, with the club declaring a period of mourning.
"It should be noted that José Manuel Llaneza was one of the great architects of the great growth of the club, which he joined in 1994 and carried out the tasks of manager, CEO and vice-president of the club, being one of the most important figures in Spanish football for his great ability, talent, work and leadership."
As Baena was approached by the referee after his celebration, he attempted to defend himself, including pointing out that he had merely lifted his shirt over his head rather than removing it entirely. It didn't help, though, with De Burgos insistent.
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Villarreal, who have been playing at Levante's Estadi Ciutat de Valencia while their own home ground undergoes redevelopment, fell behind to a first-half goal from Gonzalo Melero. Tempers were flared, with Villarreal substitute Manu Morlanes also dismissed while sat on the bench.
However, after going down a man immediately after the equaliser, they did not collapse. Instead, with just moments left on the clock, Nico Jackson collected a Dani Parejo pass to score a last-gasp winner.
After the final whistle blew, Villarreal's players pointed to the sky, dedicating the victory to Llaneza. The result leaves them seventh in the table - the same position they finished last term.
"It was a great day for Villarreal, we paid tribute to José Manuel Llaneza on the pitch, the place where he was with us," home manager Emery said after the game. "In aspects of the game there has been a bit of everything, but today there has been heart and with heart you also win games. We had the belief that with an open game and with one less player, we could win."
The former Arsenal boss was also asked about the difficult decision facing the referee. “I think he is a very good referee. He has always been at a very high level, but there are difficult situations to referee," he said.
"The VAR is there to help, but in this type of case you have to interpret and whether the decision is right or wrong there is a rule. He acted with the rules in his hand, but if he had thought about it more coldly he might not have made the same decision.”
