Stan Collymore immediately jeers Aston Villa controversy v Brentford
Aston Villa were involved in yet more VAR controversy in the Premier League against Brentford on Saturday evening.
The Villans secured a vital 1-0 win at the G-Tech Community Stadium on 8 March with Ollie Watkins grabbing the only goal.
The result is crucial for Unai Emery’s hopes of retaining Champions League football next season but it could have been even better if not for VAR.
Aston Villa suffer from VAR controversy
In the 51st minute, Watkins picked out Morgan Rogers in acres of space in the penalty area and the 22-year-old made no mistake, slotting the ball past Mark Flekken.
However, the former was ruled to be offside in the build-up and the strike was chalked off, reducing Villa’s lead to a solitary goal but luckily for Emery, his side held on.
Former Villans star Stan Collymore immediately reacted to the decision in a post on his personal X account, saying: “BOOOOOOOOOOOO.”
BOOOOOOOOOOOO
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) March 8, 2025
Aston Villa need to keep winning
If the Villans are going to qualify for a second successive season of Champions League football, they need to start picking up victories regularly.
The B6 outfit also need the teams above them to suffer multiple setbacks or they may be forced to settle for a place in the Europa League or even the Conference League, depending on how they finish the campaign.
| Premier League | Played | GD | Points |
| 4. Man City | 28 | +15 | 47 |
| 5. Chelsea | 27 | +16 | 46 |
| 6. Brighton | 28 | +6 | 46 |
| 7. Aston Villa | 29 | -4 | 45 |
There is another route to another season in Europe’s premier competition, but that would be winning the tournament and they are on the same side of the draw as Liverpool, Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Villa have had numerous tight offside calls go against them in recent weeks, with two goals ruled out in the heavy but unlucky 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace (25 February).
Given those decisions and the fact that they have to rely on other results, Emery will be hoping that some luck goes in his favour as the campaign concludes.
One thing is for sure, he will be glad to get back to winning ways after a shocking run of just one win in eight Premier League matches previously that has left their ambitions in tatters.