Ex-PGMOL chief calls out Craig Pawson after ‘reckless’ controversy in Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Craig Pawson did not have the best start in Aston Villa’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham.
Villa were looking to repeat their 2-1 victory over Tottenham from earlier in the season, and secure a place in the fourth-round of the competition.
Unai Emery named a strong side for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium encounter, but it was not the players who made the early headlines.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett was furious with referee Pawson after two first-half incidents in the contest.
What did Craig Pawson get wrong in Tottenham vs Aston Villa clash?
Boubacar Kamara was forced off after nine minutes after a strong challenge from Joao Palhinha left him unable to continue.
Just minutes before that incident, Xavi Simons was upended by Lamare Bogarde, which caused the Spurs star to land awkwardly, and he took a minute to gather himself.
Hackett believes that Pawson should have acted and shown his authority in the early stages, rather than letting both sides get away with things.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “What is he [Craig Pawson] doing?
“Two clear reckless challenges that should have received yellow cards. One of them resulted in the player having to be substituted.”
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Emery will hope that Kamara loss does not come back to haunt Villa
The Villans took a 2-0 lead into the break, with Emi Buendia breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute of the contest, then turning provider to set up Morgan Rogers just before half-time.
However, they are vulnerable without Kamara’s presence in the engine room, as he has been brilliant on both sides of the ball lately.
Defensively, he has made 14 recoveries in Villa’s last three matches, per Sofascore, showing how important he is when his side are trying to win the ball back.
In the attacking moments, he has made 22 passes into the final third in the last three matches, emphasising his quality when it comes to taking the side forward.
His loss will be felt massively, and Emery will be hoping and praying that it is nothing serious and he does not miss any matches.
If he does, it could derail the B6 outfit’s charge for the Champions League places.
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