Unai Emery Brands VAR Decision 'Not Fair' in Aston Villa's Defeat to Brentford
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed strong frustration over a controversial VAR decision that he labelled 'not fair' following his side's 1-0 home defeat to Brentford in the Premier League. The loss dealt a significant blow to Villa's title aspirations, with the match marked by a pivotal disallowed goal and Brentford's resilient performance despite playing with 10 men for over 45 minutes.
VAR Controversy Mars Villa's Title Hopes
The key moment of contention occurred in the second half when Tammy Abraham's strike was chalked off after a lengthy VAR review. Official Paul Tierney ruled that the ball had gone out of play 19 seconds earlier, when Villa were near their own corner flag. The Premier League described the decision as 'factual', but the check took over three minutes, disrupting the flow of the game and leaving Emery visibly aggrieved.
'I think it is not fair,' Emery stated post-match. 'If the assistant is watching it... there are a lot of actions and small circumstances which can change one goal. Of course, I accept it. But for me it is not fair.' He elaborated that the referees are demanding in their efforts to correct decisions, but argued that in this instance, the VAR should not have intervened. 'My explanation is it is one action after a long time. If the assistant referee did not see it, we must continue playing,' he added, highlighting the tight nature of the call and the frustration it caused.
Brentford's Defensive Masterclass Secures Victory
Despite the controversy, Brentford secured a remarkable victory under challenging circumstances. Dango Ouattara scored the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time, just minutes after Kevin Schade was sent off for kicking out at Matty Cash. Playing with 10 men for the remainder of the match, Brentford held firm against a Villa onslaught in the second half, showcasing defensive resilience.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews praised his team's performance, describing it as a 'defensive masterclass'. 'To say the performance was pleasing would be an understatement. It's just immense pride and what the players produced today, and the group as a whole produced,' he said. Andrews acknowledged the VAR decision, noting that while he couldn't see it live, he supported the outcome if it was correct. 'If they come to the right decision, especially if it goes our way, then I am in favour of it. I can understand the frustrations of fans,' he added, though he admitted he hadn't seen conclusive proof.
Emery's Frustration and Future Outlook
Emery concluded his remarks by expressing disappointment but accepting the result. 'I can't say anything more about it. It is football and of course Brentford played fantastic with one player less than us. We are frustrated, disappointed, as well with the referee and VAR for his decision. But maybe sometimes we can win matches like that,' he said. The defeat leaves Villa reflecting on missed opportunities and the impact of technological interventions in the sport, as Brentford's impressive campaign continues with a hard-fought win that boosts their position in seventh place.
