credit: BBC iPlayer]

Edward Bazeley

Sun 9 March 2025 7:36, UK

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and pundit Joe Hart have had their say on two major talking points as Aston Villa beat Brentford on Saturday.

Villa took all three points in West London thanks to Ollie Watkins‘ strike on 49 minutes before Unai Emery’s men seemingly doubled their lead through Morgan Rogers just one minute later.

However, following a VAR review, Watkins was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up before picking out Rogers who tapped the ball home.

But Villa’s disallowed goal at Brentford was not the only flashpoint which caught the attention of Match of the Day duo Lineker and Hart.

Lineker and Hart reveal stance on Brentford penalty shouts vs Villa

Aston Villa defender Disasi twice tangled with Brentford winger Lasse Schade, and Bees boss Thomas Frank told Sky Sports on 8 March that he thought his side should have been awarded a penalty for the first incident, but the second one was on the softer side.

On the first occasion, which occurred in the 63rd minute, Disasi bundled the onrushing Schade over the byline after teammate Matty Cash got a touch on the ball with his head.

Then, in the 78th minute, there was another tangle in the area between Disasi and Schade, and the Brentford wideman went to ground.

Referee Jarred Gillett did not point to the penalty spot, and VAR stuck with his on-field decision.

Match of the Day host Lineker said on the BBC programme (8 March): “I think we agree with him (Frank) on both aspects.

Hart added: “Yeah I do, and Disasi today was at the heart of everything.

“Some very, very good impact in the game, but we’re going to go through it here, Disasi and Schade.

“The Premier League have said that touch from Cash is the most important thing in all this.

“I don’t agree, I think Schade’s got an opportunity to get onto that ball.”

Lineker added: “He’s slipped and taken him out.”

Hart replied: “Disasi’s done nothing wrong, he’s slipped.

“There’s nothing that can be helped, but that’s a penalty.

“He’s taken him out and I completely agree with Thomas Frank.

“There’s the touch (from Cash) but Schade can get to that ball.”

When analysing the second incident Hart said: “Again, Schade coming one-on-one in the box.

“Look he (Disasi) is making the referee make a decision here.

“I personally agree that this wasn’t a penalty, but I think we also agree that if it comes to it, and the referee points to the spot, he’s not overturning that.

“There’s enough of a tangle.”

Lineker said: “It’s one of those, isn’t it?

“They will go with the original decision.”

Hart added: “100%, but they (Brentford) can definitely feel aggrieved today.”

Momentum is back with Aston Villa

When Villa were hammered 4-1 by Crystal Palace on Tuesday (25 February), supporters may have been worried that their side were going to enter a poor run of form.

However, since that shock three-goal defeat to the Eagles, Emery’s side have gone on to win three games on the bounce with a 2-0 triumph over Championship outfit Cardiff in the FA Cup fifth round, an away victory in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg trip to Club Brugge and Saturday’s win over Brentford in the Premier League.

Villa are now just two points behind the top-four, while fourth-place Manchester City suffered a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest before Emery’s men won at Brentford.

The Villa Park outfit are not in Premier League action again until Wednesday 2 April, when they take on Brighton, but Emery and co still have two very important games in March.

Firstly, they host Club Brugge on Wednesday 12 March, looking to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals following last week’s 3-1 win in Belgium, before they compete with Championship side Preston at the end of the month for a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Villa will be pleased that they have regathered momentum, regardless of the controversy which surrounded their win at Brentford.