Robbie Savage makes Chris Sutton look silly in heated Aston Villa debate
Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton have gone head-to-head after the huge controversy surrounding Aston Villa.
The Villans were left devastated on Sunday (25 May) after missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season.
A 2-0 defeat against Manchester United after a crazy Emi Martinez red card resigned Villa to a sixth place finish and Europa League football.
This was also highly influenced by a controversial call at Old Trafford, which left Savage and Sutton to clash after the full-time whistle.
Savage and Sutton argue after Aston Villa controversy
There’s no getting away from it, Thomas Bramall made a huge error which ultimately cost Morgan Rogers an all-important goal in the top-five race.
The England international’s strike could have been enough to give the B6 club the point they needed to move above Newcastle United in the table.
Ultimately, this went against the Villans as Man United went on to win thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen.
Despite this, the main talking point after the game was certainly the refereeing call, sparking wide spread conversation with ex-manager Tim Sherwood left fuming.
There was a similar theme on the 606 Football Phone In (25 May) as Savage and Sutton had contrasting views on the matter.
Ex-Villa striker Sutton backed the referee Bramall as he said: “Have you never made a mistake?”
Surprisngly, it was ex-Birmingham City man Savage who came to the Villans’ defence.
He replied: “Oh come on Chris, VAR has been brought in for these moments, come on. The referee has to understand that if he leaves it for a second, he can go to VAR and disallow it. Come on.”
Sutton gets it wrong in Aston Villa verdict
It has to be said that it’s a 38-game season, and Villa didn’t accrue enough points or goal difference to earn a place in the Champions League.
Unai Emery’s side were dreadful against Man United and deserved nothing from the game on the basis of their performance.
Regardless of this, the Villans should have had the lead with less than 20 minutes to go, and it would have been a completely different game.
| Position | Club | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 3. | Manchester City | 38 | +28 | 71 |
| 4. | Chelsea | 38 | +21 | 69 |
| 5. | Newcastle United | 38 | +21 | 66 |
| 6. | Aston Villa | 38 | +7 | 66 |
| 7. | Nottingham Forest | 38 | +12 | 65 |
This could easily have seen the B6 club secure three points, or see out the game and take the single point they needed at Old Trafford.
With that in mind, it is clear that Sutton got it wrong as the error from Bramall has seriously cost Villa both on and off the pitch.