Premier League release official statement over controversial Arsenal vs Aston Villa incident
Aston Villa’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal was packed with controversial incidents.
Amadou Onana wanted a penalty for Villa in the 10th minute at the Emirates, but Darren England decided that he dived, and it was not awarded.
Emi Martinez felt like he was pushed for Gabriel’s opener, but the goal stood, and the Gunners began to dominate proceedings against the Villa Park side.
Then, the hosts had a goal initially disallowed for offside, however, both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were eventually cleared, and it stood.
What did the Premier League say about the Arsenal vs Aston Villa controversy?
The Premier League have released a statement on the last incident, confirming why the goal was allowed.
The goal was awarded after a VAR check, and put the result out of sight for Unai Emery‘s side, on a disappointing night.
Taking to X on 30 December, the Premier League Match Centre said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and determined that Saka was in an onside position.
“The VAR also confirmed that Hincapié was onside in the build-up, therefore recommended that the goal was awarded.”
Why Aston Villa can have no complaints after Arsenal collapse
Villa cannot have any complaints; they were not good enough, it was as simple as that.
Martinez may have wanted a foul for the opening goal, but he should have been stronger, instead of getting bullied by the Brazilian defender.
The penalty incident was an act of simulation from Onana, and he was lucky that he was not booked for what he did, according to ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
Meanwhile, the offsides for the third goal were judged to be onside, through the video assistance, so Emery cannot use that as an excuse.
Villa were defeated by a better side on the night, they are not at the level to compete for the title, and that is okay, because they were not expected to be.
It is not a shameful thing to be beaten by this Gunners team, although the fashion in which they were defeated may have an effect on the Villans going forward.
Emery will hope that it does not, and he will surely not point to refereeing decisions as to why his side were handed a rare loss.
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