Dermot Gallagher: Aston Villa winner v Southampton correctly given
Dermot Gallagher says that Jacob Ramsey’s winning goal for Aston Villa against Southampton on Friday night was correctly given after reviewing the footage.
Villa picked up their second victory of the season thanks to a close-range finish from the Under-21 international just before half-time.
Replays showed Ramsey in an offside position before the ball came to him, but former Premier League and FIFA referee Gallagher told Sky Sports News [20 September] that a rule change is the reason why it was the correct decision.
“In the Nations League final we had a big furore about Kylian Mbappe’s goal and playing the ball, being in possession of the ball,” he said.
“The rule was rewritten that if the defender makes a clear attempt to play the ball, whether he controls it or not, it plays the attacking player onside.
“Salisu goes to clear the ball, and at that point it resets. It’s not ideal, but that’s what they have to work with.”
Deserved
It was an awful game of football if we’re all being honest, but if anyone deserved to win the game it was us and Ramsey deserved his goal.
As a midfielder he gambled to be in that position from a corner and got his rewards when the ball went over his head to a teammate who attacked it and eventually allowed him to get the ball over the line.
The VAR call was made quickly and easily which should have been enough to tell you it was the right call, because Salisu made a very obvious attempt to clear the ball.
Villa now go into the international break with morale high after a much needed victory that saw them rise up to 15th place in the Premier League table and on to seven points.
Steven Gerrard can now work towards a more victories and better performances on the pitch without too much pressure for a win immediately, with the squad working towards moving away from a relegation battle and hopefully push for European football.
In other Aston Villa news, the club are sweating on the fitness of Boubacar Kamara after his knee injury according to a report