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MOTD pundits in agreement Aston Villa 'got away with one' with penalty call v Crystal Palace
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy have all agreed that Aston Villa were lucky to get a late penalty in their win over Crystal Palace.
The Villans came from behind to win 3-1 on Saturday (16 September) taking the lead in the 98th minute thanks to a penalty from Douglas Luiz, before Leon Bailey ensured the three points would remain at Villa Park in the 101st minute.
But the decision to award Villa a penalty was slightly controversial after Palace defender Chris Richards seemingly won the ball with his sliding challenge on Ollie Watkins and Murphy believes the home side were very lucky to win the spot-kick.
Speaking on Match of the Day (16 September, 51:25) Lineker said: “He’s got the ball twice, hasn’t he? I think it’s a tough one that on Crystal Palace, you need a bit of luck sometimes.”
Murphy said: “I feel for the Palace players, 98th minute, I think they (Villa) have got away with one a little bit. I don’t think it’s an absolute howler.”
Shearer then added: “I think that’s very harsh.”
Stroke of luck
There was certainly some contact from Richards on Watkins but whether it was enough for Villa to win the penalty is up for debate as it was seemingly minimal on the forward and the American defender did take a big slice of the ball with his tackle.
But for Villa to be successful this season they’re going to need that occasional stroke of luck to win games where they’re not at their best and they made sure to profit on their little bit of luck at Villa Park on Saturday.
Compared to several decisions that have already been made this season by referees and VAR, this was nowhere near the biggest howler and it is more than likely Emery’s side will find themselves on the other side of one of those situations.
Bailey’s late goal ensured that it didn’t truly matter whether or not it should have been a penalty or not, but it was positive to see the strength in depth now in the Villa side, with two of the three goals coming from substitutes. Something that didn’t often happen last year.
In other Aston Villa news, Ezri Konsa has been the man to profit from the injury crisis at Villa Park