Keith Hackett immediately reacts to shock Feyenoord vs Aston Villa controversy
Aston Villa were involved in a hugely controversial moment against Feyenoord in the Europa League.
Marco Bizot replaced Emi Martinez in the starting eleven just minutes before the game, with the Argentine keeper picking up an injury in the warm-up.
Aston Villa were also without Jadon Sancho due to illness, with Tyrone Mings also not travelling with the first team after he pulled up against Fulham.
Unai Emery’s side weren’t without attacking threat in the first half of the 2-0 win, and should arguably have had a man advantage.
Keith Hackett disagrees with red card decision vs Feyenoord
Watkins has struggled for Aston Villa in recent weeks, but he didn’t need many opportunities to score his first goal of the season at the weekend.
He looked lively in the opening period, and Villa perhaps should have had a man advantage after he was fouled early on.
Watkins was caught by a sliding tackle from former Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic in the first half, causing a stir.
Villa players thought the challenge should have warranted a red card, given that Watkins would have been through on goal, but a yellow card was awarded.
A check from the Video Assistant Referee failed to result in anything, as referee Rade Obrenovic stuck with the original decision.
Former referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Villa News, felt the referee should have overturned his original decision.
“It is a clear foul on Ollie Watkins and the issuing of a yellow card was rightly seen by the VAR has a clear and obvious error,” Hackett said.
“The VAR clearly taking the view that the foul challenge had denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
“The referee having the opportunity to view this should have judged that following the foul that the likelihood of Watkins controlling the ball and having a shot on goal had a very high probability.
“It is denial of a goalscoring opportunity and the offender should have seen a red card. Poor officiating from the Referee who should have agreed with the VAR on this one.”
This view was supported by both Steve Sidwell and Stiliyan Petrov on TNT Sports with the latter describing it as ‘a really poor decision’.
Aston Villa again not favoured by referees
Aston Villa had the most refereeing decisions go against them last season, according to an independent refereeing panel.
So far this season, match officials have been fairer and denied Fulham two penalties against Aston Villa at the weekend.
However, the decision not to red card Ahmedhodzic was poor but luckily it didn’t affect the result.
After an eventful start to the game, Villa kept it calm in the second half and earned a much-needed third win on the trot.
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