Jarred Gillett ‘gets Ollie Watkins controversy wrong’ in Aston Villa v Newcastle
Jarred Gillett was at the heart of the controversy as Aston Villa welcomed Newcastle to Villa Park on Saturday evening.
In what was a huge game for both clubs in search of Champions League qualification, Ollie Watkins opened the scoring within seconds, deflecting a strike past Nick Pope.
Fabian Schar headed home an equaliser, but Ian Maatsen, a Dan Burn own-goal and Amadou Onana secured a massive 4-1 win for Villa.
It was the opening goalscorers caught in a running battle throughout the game, with Schar being booked before then bringing Watkins down in the box.
Gillett gets Watkins controversy wrong
Despite contact being made, the officials decided that the striker had initiated that.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Keith Hackett insists that it should have been a penalty, with the challenge from Schar “careless”.
The ex-FIFA referee and PGMOL chief admits it may appear harsh, but if it wasn’t a foul, Gillett should have booked Watkins for diving.
“Sadly, in football, we are witnessing defenders sticking out a leg and the forward with minimal contact going to ground,” Hackett said.
“It is a careless challenge by the defender, so the referee has a choice: Either award a penalty kick or yellow card the forward if he believes no penalty kick should be awarded.
“For me, it’s a penalty kick that might appear harsh, but poor challenges where the player sticks a leg out should be penalised.
“It’s careless.”
Champions League bound again?
After getting a massive taste for the Champions League this season again, topped with that night against Paris Saint-Germain this week.
Despite crashing out, the Parisians were well-beaten 3-2 at Villa Park, with plenty of chances to have turned it around fully and hit the semi-finals.
It wasn’t meant to be, but bouncing back like this against a Newcastle side who were flying is the perfect answer for Emery.
| Premier League | Points | GD |
| 6. Aston Villa | 57 | +6 |
With a huge game against Manchester City coming up and then an FA semi-final at Wembley, it’s another massive week for Emery and Villa.