Credit: Imago/talkSPORT

James Barker

Fri 1 May 2026 7:00, UK

Gabby Agbonlahor believes Aston Villa were playing against “12 men” during their Europa League semi-final first leg defeat to Nottingham Forest.

It was a first leg tie that was cagey and close, but one that Forest have emerged the victors from.

Chris Wood’s 71st-minute penalty hands Vitor Pereira’s side the advantage ahead of the return leg at Villa Park next Thursday, after a blatant handball offence from Lucas Digne.

However, that wasn’t the only big flashpoint of the game at the City Ground, as Forest could’ve been down to 10 men after Elliot Anderson’s challenge on Ollie Watkins just after half an hour.

Referee Joao Pinheiro’s decision not to send the Forest midfielder off is garnering much debate in the hours since the final whistle blew, in what was undoubtedly a moment that could’ve swung the tie in Villa’s favour.

What did Gabby Agbonlahor say on Nottingham Forest red card?

Unai Emery will be unhappy with Pinheiro‘s performance in the middle on Thursday night, with the Portuguese referee perhaps not having his best game.

Pinheiro has actually shown 127 yellow cards and seven red cards from 27 games as referee this season, but only brandished one yellow in the game between Forest and Villa, and that was to Youri Tielemans.

So, when Anderson flew into the challenge on Watkins, those who were aware of Pinheiro’s tendency to dish cards out probably expected to see the Forest star shown his marching orders.

Anderson was over the top of the ball and clearly caught Watkins with a straight leg around the ankle, but nothing was given, not even a yellow card.

Posting to his Instagram page after full-time, talkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor is clearly furious regarding this incident, and believes Villa have suffered an injustice.

“No card? Hopefully second leg we don’t play against 12 men,” the ex-Villans star said, along with a picture of Watkins clearly being fouled.

What has Unai Emery said about Anderson incident?

Emery is not the sort of manager to hide what he’s truly feeling when it comes to speaking about a certain incident/situation.

He’s not broken form following Thursday night either, as he’s hit out at the decision not to shown Anderson a red card for his challenge on Watkins.

As quoted via The Athletic’s Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell on X, Emery has heavily criticised Pinheiro for not taking action on what could’ve seen Watkins “break his ankle.”

“After watching the VAR action with Ollie Watkins, VAR is his responsibility; it’s a huge mistake. It’s a huge mistake,” Emery said.

“Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle. “The action does not make sense. It’s so so clear. Where is the doubt.”