Aston Villa defender Pau Torres [credit: Aston Villa Football Club on YouTube]
Aston Villa defender Pau Torres [credit: Aston Villa Football Club on YouTube]

Pau Torres slammed after Aston Villa v Ipswich Town controversy, 'Trying it on'

Noel Egan

Noel Egan is Birmingham-born former referee who has previously been licensed by FIFA and officiated games in CONCACAF tournaments, Olympics qualifiers and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He grew up just a short walk from Villa Park and is an Aston Villa season ticket holder to this day. After learning his trade in the UK, Egan moved to Antigua & Barbuda where he's coached in their Premier League and also trained referees. He

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Noel Egan has accused Pau Torres of "trying it on" after his penalty appeals in the 2-2 draw between Aston Villa and Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday (29 September).

The ex-FIFA official believes the defender deserved a speaking to from the referee.

Torres went down holding his head inside the penalty box early in the first half at Portman Road. However, following a VAR check, the decision was made not to award a penalty.

And Egan - speaking exclusively to Villa News - feels that the correct decision was made.

"That happens all the time in football, anywhere on the pitch," Egan said.

"I'd call that a coming together between two players. It is a physical game, you don't give a foul every time there is contact between two players.

"There was contact. However, it was referred to VAR and it definitely wasn't a penalty. Just a sharp word for the players involved, it didn't even warrant a booking.

"Once Torres' teammates saw him remaining on the ground, they waved their arms a bit. However, definitely not a penalty. I think both players needed speaking to because Torres was trying it on a bit."

Pau Torres blasted as Aston Villa draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road

As Egan suggested, the contact on Torres was minimal. Therefore, it would have been a surprise to see Villa awarded a penalty.

It summed up what was a pretty disappointing afternoon for Unai Emery and his players, who missed the chance to go top of the Premier League, with one player in particular letting his manager down.

Things don't get any easier for Emery and his players as they prepare to welcome Bayern Munich to Villa Park in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (2 October).

Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery [Credit: Imago]

As a result, the Spaniard will be using the short time between the two matches to get his players ready.

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