Keith Hackett hits out after Aston Villa vs Everton incident – ‘What’s the referee thinking?’
Everton’s win over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon was not without controversy.
Thierno Barry scored the only goal of the game as Unai Emery‘s side fell to defeat at Villa Park on 18 January.
The Villans were hoping to capitalise on Arsenal and Manchester City dropping points, but they could not do so in a lacklustre performance.
The visitors had a goal ruled out in the first half for offside, but that was not the only incident that was debatable.
What did Keith Hackett say about Aston Villa vs Everton controversy?
As the Villans were pushing for an equaliser, James Garner, who was already on a yellow card, pushed Morgan Rogers in the back just outside of the penalty area.
Former FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett believes that it was a blatant yellow card, and therefore should have seen the midfielder dismissed.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “That is a clear push on his opponent and a challenge that should have received a yellow card.
“He should have seen red, this is a nailed-on second yellow.
“What’s the referee thinking?”
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Why Aston Villa cannot concern themselves with Garner decision
Emery can have no complaints, his side were just not good enough on the day.
Whether Garner was sent off or not, it did not matter, the Villans clearly underestimated David Moyes’ side and it came back to haunt them.
It is a shame because a victory would have been a huge boost and would have seen Villa go right back into the title picture.
Now, Emery needs to pick his side up, and get them ready to go again, they cannot dwell on one decision that did not go in their favour.
They need to get firing again and ensure that they do enough from now until the end of the season to make the Champions League places.
Hackett is probably right, it should have been a second yellow, but that does not necessarily mean that the B6 outfit would have went on to score.
They were toothless all day, and hardly threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal, one decision would not have changed that fact, and if anything, the Blues would have went more defensive to save their three points.
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