Ex-FIFA referee ‘astonished’ after re-watching controversial Aston Villa vs Brentford footage
Aston Villa were aggrieved following a controversial decision over the weekend, with a second-half equaliser ruled out in the 1-0 defeat to Brentford.
With Villa trailing by a goal thanks to Dango Ouattara’s strike before half-time, Tammy Abraham believed he had secured his comeback moment early into the second period, when he slammed home from close range following a Caoimhin Kelleher save.
The goal would be chalked off following a VAR check, though, with the ball being adjudged to have gone out of play at the opposite end of Villa Park, 19 seconds prior to Abraham’s goal being controversially ruled out.
Unai Emery’s side would go on to lose 1-0 to the 10 men of Brentford, sparking huge debate regarding the incident.
Ex-FIFA referee Dermot Gallagher has given his thoughts on the controversy, and Villa fans may not be pleased.
Dermot Gallagher offers insight on Aston Villa vs Brentford decision
After a rapid Villa counter-attack, Abraham would be denied a goal on his return following his move from Besiktas, causing widespread conversation and an official Premier League statement after the decision.
Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports News as part of the weekly Ref Watch show, said: “I have to say, I’m astonished people think this is controversial.
“For two reasons, if anybody has studied that, the ball is 100 per cent out of play, there’s no doubt about that
“And if you watch it unfold, it takes 19 seconds, but Brentford have high-pressed. Their players are in the opposition half, their defenders are up at the halfway line, but that’s their tactic to press Villa.
“When Villa attack with that ball, the first Brentford player who touches the ball is Caoimhin (Kelleher) when he saves the original shot before it’s run into Tammy Abraham.”
Villa sit third in the Premier League as a result of the weekend’s results, though the gap to leaders Arsenal has increased to seven points.
Gallagher added that: “Even if the throw-in is not picked up, you can’t argue about the 19 seconds because they (Brentford) never ever had a chance to get that ball back because of their setup.
“And as I said, Kelleher was the first to touch that ball before Abraham put it in. So, I don’t see what the controversy is.”
Read more: Douglas Luiz shines on return, Lamare Bogarde stinker – Aston Villa player ratings vs Brentford
Controversial decision severely Aston Villa title charge
While the idea of a title charge for Villa was seen from the outside as ambitious, their performances in recent months more than warranted their current position and have had fans dreaming of the title.
With Brentford down to 10 men, the hosts would have been in an incredibly strong position to go on and pick up three points had the Abraham equaliser stood.
Instead, Villa were condemned to their second home loss in a row, after falling to defeat against Everton on home soil two weeks prior.
With a seven-point gap to leaders Arsenal, a shot at the title is seemingly out of the question for Villa, who will undoubtedly pinpoint this moment as a pivotal one at the end of the season should the gap decrease and they still miss out come May.
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