Credit: Imago

Pranav Shahaney

Tue 22 April 2025 20:56, UK

Premier League’s Match Centre made an announcement on the Jacob Ramsey incident in the game between Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Unai Emery’s side travelled to Manchester to take on Pep Guardiola’s men at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for the hosts while Marcus Rashford equalised 11 minutes later, with the scoreline 1-1 at the break.

Ruben Dias concedes penalty which sees Rashford slots into the back of the net

In the 15th minute of the contest, City centre-back Ruben Dias made a challenge on Ramsey inside the penalty area.

The on-field referee decided to wave away the protests from the visitors and play continued.

However, the VAR intervened and felt that there was enough in the incident to make Craig Pawson take another look.

After looking at the incident from different angles and at different speeds, Pawson pointed to the spot, much to the annoyance of the hosts.

Rashford then put the ball into the back of the net to equalise for his side.

Via X, the Premier League wrote: “15’ VAR OVERTURN. VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Aston Villa.”

Emery must urge the Aston Villa players to stay in the hunt for three points

Villa did decently well in the first half against Manchester City and, despite going down courtesy of an early goal, did not let their heads drop.

Neither team’s guaranteed a spot in the Champions League next season and a good result from this one is vital for either side.

While City have dominated possession, Villa have done well to hit them on the break and muster up goal-scoring opportunities of their own.

Emery will ask his side to show the same kind of fight and determination and they could even go on to edge it and get the three points.