Alan McInally stunned by Aston Villa controversy v Crystal Palace live on Sky – ‘How?’
Alan McInally was left stunned live on Sky Sports after seeing a controversial Aston Villa decision in their defeat against Crystal Palace.
It was a night to forget for Unai Emery’s side who crashed to a 4-1 loss at Selhurst Park on Tuesday.
Although the Villans went 1-0 down after 29 minutes, Villa thought they had equalised in the 42nd minute through Morgan Rogers although VAR disallowed the goal after judging Ollie Watkins offside.
McInally stunned by VAR call
Although Emery’s side went behind in the first half, a goal just before half-time would have been just what the boss wanted from his side to get them back into the game.
Watkins made an excellent run before pulling the ball back for Rogers to score from inside the box.
However, the joy was short-lived when VAR recommended that the goal be disallowed due to Watkins being offside in the build-up to the goal.
The decision caused controversy with inconclusive angles yet again rearing their head at Selhurst Park, which isn’t the first time in recent years.
| Crystal Palace (Ismaila Sarr) | 29′ |
| Aston Villa (Morgan Rogers, disallowed) | 42′ |
| Aston Villa (Morgan Rogers) | 52′ |
| Crystal Palace (Jean-Philippe Mateta) | 59′ |
| Crystal Palace (Ismaila Sarr) | 71′ |
| Crystal Palace (Eddie Nketiah) | 90+1′ |
Speaking on Sky Sports News from a different game (25 February, 8:15 pm), McInally was less than impressed: “By the way, how can your kneecap be offside? Do me a favour.”
Unai Emery needs Aston Villa to bounce back
It was certainly a difficult night for Villa on Tuesday, being subjected to a dominant Crystal Palace win.
Although Emery’s men were able to later get back into the game with Rogers and Watkins linking up again, it was the home side who took things up a gear to secure the victory.
While they certainly weren’t at their best, you have to feel for the Villans who were subjected to a horrible VAR decision which certainly could have changed the game with the scores then level at half-time.
What’s more, with it being such a close call and hardly a clear offside decision based on the angle of the cameras, you can understand why there has been outrage on the Villa side of the fence.
Nevertheless, it is now up to the West Midlands outfit to pick themselves up and prepare for the next game that lies ahead.
An FA Cup fifth-round tie against Cardiff City is next up on Friday before going back into Champions League action next week.
While Emery will want his side to secure another strong Premier League finish, to be in both the FA Cup and Champions League at this point will certainly have the manager ready to do everything he can to bring a trophy home.
It wasn’t the best night of the season for those in Claret and Blue but one thing they can’t do now is be sidetracked by the disappointment.