Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has unleashed a furious tirade against the Video Assistant Referee, accusing the technology of committing a monumental...
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has unleashed a furious tirade against the Video Assistant Referee, accusing the technology of committing a monumental blunder during his side. �s narrow 1. 0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi final clash. The Spanish tactician, speaking exclusively to GoalZaza after the match at the City Ground, insisted that Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson should have been sent off for a dangerous tackle that could have left a Villa player nursing a broken ankle. Emery, known for his calm demeanour, was visibly agitated as he declared that the powers that be in the VAR room made a huge mistake by not recommending a red card for the Scottish international. In the scheme of things, Emery argued, such a decision could have altered the entire complexion of the tie, leaving Aston Villa with a mountain to climb in the return leg at Villa Park. The incident occurred in the 67th minute when Anderson lunged in recklessly on Villa. �s midfield stalwart, catching him high on the shin with his studs showing. Referee Michael Oliver, after a brief on field review, brandished only a yellow card, a call that left the Villa bench in uproar. Emery, his voice laced with frustration, noted that the tackle was not just clumsy but malicious, and that the VAR officials had failed in their duty to protect players. At the end of the day, he said, the health of the footballer must come first, and such a challenge should have been punished with a red card. The result means Aston Villa now face an uphill battle in the second leg, needing to overturn a one goal deficit to keep their European dreams alive. For Nottingham Forest, the victory was a testament to their resilience, with the Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi putting in a tireless shift up front, though he failed to find the back of the net. In Lagos, at the popular Ikeja City Mall viewing centre, fans erupted in heated debate as the tackle replayed on the large screens. Many supporters, clad in their Villa jerseys, shouted in frustration, calling for VAR to be scrapped entirely. One elderly gentleman, a season ticket holder for the local amateur league, shook his head and declared that the technology was spoiling the beautiful game. Others, sipping malt drinks under the buzzing fluorescent lights, agreed that Anderson should have walked, while a few Forest fans in the corner celebrated the narrow victory with loud cheers. The atmosphere was electric, a true reflection of Nigerian passion for football, as the debate raged long into the night.
