Aston Villa missed the chance to go top of the Premier League, with manager Unai Emery proclaiming VAR was “too much” after Nicolo Zaniolo’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Sheffield United
VAR irritates Unai Emery as Aston Villa miss out on top spot in the Premier League, with manager Unai Emery declaring VAR was “too much” after Nicolo Zaniolo’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Sheffield United.Agence France-Presse (AFP)09:31 a.m. IST on December 23, 2023Reading Time: 3 minutes
Unai Emery is irritated by VAR as Aston Villa miss out on the Premier League title.
Unai Emery AFP file image
Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, said VAR was “too much” after Nicolo Zaniolo’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Sheffield United on Friday. The visitors began the game at the bottom of the standings, with Birmingham club Villa having won their last 15 home games in the Premier League. But Cameron Archer, sold by Villa to the Blades in pre-season, stunned the home fans at Villa Park by opening the scoring in the 87th minute with a close-range shot.
Substitute Zaniolo rescued a point for Villa with a header seven minutes into stoppage time.
Villa needed a win to go top of the Premier League for the first time since August 2011, having not led the table at this stage of the season for 25 years.
But they remained behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference despite dominating possession and having the better of the game’s chances.
Leon Bailey had the ball in the net early in the second half but it was ruled out by the video assistant referee, with VAR also rejecting three Villa penalty claims.
“I am very happy and very proud of the players,” Emery told the BBC.
“It was very difficult to keep our winning record. They defended really well.”
He added: “I accept VAR always. But only today I think it was too much. It was not necessary to review two or three times in the first half. And the goal, it was not necessary. Normally we can accept this goal.
We are disappointed with today’s outcome, but we accept it. We must concentrate on the upcoming encounter versus Manchester United, which will be great.”
“Being greedy, and the manner of their goal as well, (I wanted three points) but we’d have definitely settled for a point before the game,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said.
He went on to say: “There’s plenty to work with with the players and this result gives me great hope.”
Villa’s first brush with replay rejection Friday came when Ollie Watkins was shoved by Vini Souza, with another penalty appeal turned down by VAR when George Baldock blocked Watkins’ header from the ensuing corner.
Villa thought they had gone ahead in the 58th minute when Watkins intercepted as United tried to clear a corner and exchanged passes with Jacob Ramsey.
The England striker then crossed for Bailey to sweep in but the goal was disallowed when Ramsey was ruled to have fouled Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham at the corner.
Another VAR reprieve for the visitors came 15 minutes later when Baldock came through a handball review.
United struck three minutes from the end of normal time.
Baldock got through a handball review 15 minutes later, giving the visitors another VAR reprieve.
Three minutes before the end of normal time, United scored.
Gustavo Hamer’s wonderful piece of skill pulled John McGinn out of the game after Vini Souza’s free-kick found him.
Archer converted from six yards after the substitute cut the ball back.
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Alex Moreno’s header was saved by Foderingham, but Villa equalised in stoppage time when Zaniolo headed in Douglas Luiz’s cross.
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