Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has launched a pointed critique of what he described as an "unfair" VAR decision that severely undermined his team's fading Premier League title ambitions during their recent clash with Brentford.
Controversial Disallowed Goal Mars Villa's Comeback Bid
With ten-man Brentford leading 1-0 through Dango Ouattara's effort, despite having Kevin Schade dismissed earlier in the match, Tammy Abraham believed he had secured a dramatic equaliser on his second Aston Villa debut. However, the goal was controversially ruled out after a lengthy VAR review determined that Leon Bailey had taken the ball out of play near his own corner flag approximately twenty seconds before the ball eventually found the net.
Emery's Restrained But Clear Dissatisfaction
Unai Emery, who rarely publicly criticises match officials, maintained relative restraint in his post-match comments but made his displeasure unmistakably clear. "I think it's not fair," stated the Villa boss. "I accept it completely, though. The referees are so demanding of themselves to get everything right. If there is something they can improve I know they will do it."
Emery elaborated on his concerns regarding the decision-making process, arguing: "The goal happened a long time after the initial incident and if the linesman didn't see it in the first place, play should continue. It's difficult for VAR to analyse this goal. It's so tight. VAR must not ask the referee in these situations."
Transfer Window Developments and Harvey Elliott Situation
Separately, Emery indicated that he does not anticipate Aston Villa conducting any significant business on the final day of the transfer window. However, intriguing possibilities remain regarding the loan arrangement for Harvey Elliott from Liverpool.
Having featured in Villa's last two matches following nearly four months on the sidelines, Elliott has now made eight appearances for the club. Should he make two more appearances, Aston Villa would be obligated to purchase the midfielder for £35 million next summer—a commitment the club currently wishes to avoid.
This situation presents a complex dilemma for both clubs, as Liverpool would also suffer if the talented midfielder remains underutilised for the remainder of the season, potentially diminishing his market value. Consequently, negotiations between the two clubs to restructure the loan agreement would not be surprising.
Brentford's Defensive Masterclass Acknowledged
Meanwhile, Brentford manager Keith Andrews expressed sympathy for Villa's VAR frustrations while simultaneously praising his team's exceptional defensive performance. "I can understand the fans' reaction as the delays take the sting out of the game," Andrews admitted. "But it was a defensive masterclass from us and I have immense pride in our performance."
The match ultimately highlighted ongoing controversies surrounding VAR implementation in English football while showcasing Brentford's resilience despite being reduced to ten men for significant portions of the contest.
