Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Sat 2 May 2026 7:10, UK

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery will have his comments following the Nottingham Forest defeat examined by UEFA.

Emery hit out at the officials – or more specifically the VAR team – for not sending off Elliot Anderson for his studs-up challenge on Ollie Watkins.

VAR briefly reviewed the incident after referee Joao Pinheiro let it go on the field, despite Watkins clearly being caught on the ankle.

To make matters worse for Villa, Forest went on to have a penalty awarded via VAR for a Lucas Digne handball, which Chris Wood went on to convert.

As the fallout continues from Villa’s loss at City Ground, Emery may now find himself in hot water.

Unai Emery spot on with Elliott Anderson red card assessment

Emery made clear in his TNT Sports interview and in his post-match press conference that he did not accept the decision to not send off Anderson, although he accepted the penalty call.

Anderson slid in and did get some of the ball, but he followed through and caught Watkins.

Gabby Agbonlahor was furious with the decision after the game, as was Emery.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett said he expects the Spaniard to now have his comments examined by UEFA, even if what he said is true.

“Unai Emery is vastly experienced manager is correct in his observations,” Hackett said. “There appears to be a myth that if you make contact with the ball that exonerates you from a sanction.

“Well, Anderson launched himself with an excessive force and clearly endangered the safety of his opponent. It was minimum a yellow but I believe should have been red for serious foul play.

“These types of challenges should be outlawed and the only way you achieve that is to sanction, and for managers and coaches to instruct their players accordingly.

“UEFA do not like post-match criticism of match officials. A lot will depend on the post-match report of the UEFA Match Delegate. But UEFA will deal with it and not ignore his comments.”

Emery in his element despite disatisfaction

This is the point in the season in which Emery truly comes to life, with trophies to be won and league positions to be decided.

Villa have just endured a dreadful week, having lost at Fulham and now at Forest. But all is not lost – not by a far cry.

The defeat at Craven Cottage was a setback but nothing more. The Villans still very much have their Champions League qualifying hopes in their own hands.

As for the Forest loss, there is still a second leg to come at a packed Villa Park next week. That will be quite some atmosphere.

The only hope is that the referee and his VAR team stand strong and do not let any more bad decisions go against Villa or else they will feel the wrath of Emery.