Keith Hackett accuses Amadou Onana of cheating vs Arsenal, it went unpunished by Darren England
Amadou Onana should have been punished in Aston Villa’s clash with Arsenal, Keith Hackett has said.
Onana went down under a supposed challenge from William Saliba in the 10th minute of the Emirates Stadium contest.
A penalty was not awarded, and referee Darren England awarded Unai Emery‘s side a corner instead, which came to nothing.
However, Hackett believes that the B6 ace should have been handed a caution for his involvement in the incident.
What did Hackett say about Onana incident in Arsenal vs Aston Villa?
Onana has been brilliant for Villa lately, but he let himself down with his antics against the league leaders, and Hackett was not impressed.
The former PGMOL chief believes the Villans ace should have booked for simulation, as the way he went to ground made it obvious it was a dive.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “This is an act of simulation defined clearly by his body mechanics as he goes to ground.
“If the game is going to slow down this trend, then a sanction of a yellow card should be issued to the offending player.”
Why Villa’s strategy is working so far vs Arsenal
Villa have frustrated Mikel Arteta‘s side so far in their encounter, and they need to keep doing exactly what they are doing.
Onana may have gone over theatrically and without much contact, but had he earned the penalty, it would have given Emery’s side a vital lead.
It will come down to fine margins, so if England had fallen for it, then it would have given Villa a huge advantage, as they try to prove their title credentials.
Ultimately, he was not booked, so it is no harm for the West Midlands side, and he will be able to take a card if he needs to, in the second half.
The Belgian and his teammates need to keep on doing whatever they can to annoy and get the Gunners players riled up, as that is their best way to come away with a result, and put themselves firmly in the title picture.
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