Premier League release statement on Aston Villa controversy v Chelsea
Aston Villa were caught in controversy again as they returned to winning ways in the Premier League against Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Despite starting brightly at Villa Park, it was the Blues who took the lead early on through Enzo Fernandez, who tapped home after a cross from Pedro Neto.
Unai Emery has instilled real fight in his team, and it was on show as Marcus Rashford flashed across goal for Marco Asensio to score, but it was initially ruled out for offside.
VAR then overturned that Aston Villa decision, after finding evidence that Rashford was onside.
Premier League release Aston Villa statement
Rashford was bewildered as the linesman raised his flag, and the VAR intervention showed why as his fellow January loan signing scored his first goal for the Villans.
It got even better for Asensio too, as he scored the winner from another Rashford assist late on.
The Premier League have since reacted to the controversy and recommended that it be overturned.
Writing on X, the Premier League Match Centre said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Aston Villa – and established that Rashford was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded.”
#AVLCHE – 57’ VAR OVERTURN
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) February 22, 2025
VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Aston Villa – and established that Rashford was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded. pic.twitter.com/QWMlNwphl9
Marcus Rashford shines at Aston Villa
On the same day that Manchester United drew 2-2 against Everton to stay 15th in the Premier League, Rashford continues to make a massive impact for Emery.
His dead-ball delivery and speed in the final third have been a real weapon to the Villans, and he is starting to play with a real smile on his face.
It has been years since that has happened, and Ruben Amorim has clearly embarrassed himself with the handling of this situation.
Despite the shock news that Rashford already has one eye on a transfer to Barcelona, as long as he is putting in performances like this one, that doesn’t matter.
It was a huge 2-1 win for the Villans, especially given it came days after their draw against runaway Premier League leaders, Liverpool.
When you consider all of the injuries in this Aston Villa squad, it is a wonder that they are still dominating these big-name clubs who have been spending huge money.
VAR has never really been accepted in the Premier League, but offside calls are one area they seem to be getting right, although it’s not exactly hard to do that.