Ex-FIFA official blasts VAR after controversy in Aston Villa win v West Ham

Noel Egan claims VAR let referee Tony Harrington down as Aston Villa beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on Saturday (17 August).

The ex-FIFA official and lifetime Villa supporter believes the decision to award the Hammers a penalty should have been overturned.

Lucas Paquetá scored from the spot in the 37th minute after Tomáš Souček was adjudged to have been fouled by Matty Cash.

However, Egan - speaking exclusively to Villa News - feels that on-field referee Harrington should have had a second opportunity to review the incident.

“It was absolutely clear that the referee did not see Cash play the ball," Egan said.

"Souček then planted his leg between Cash’s and tumbled. From the referee’s position, he might have missed the contact which Cash made. However, VAR clearly did see that there was contact.

“Therefore, at the very least they should have sent Harrington to the pitch side monitor, which they didn't.

“I am absolutely certain that the penalty would have been overturned if Harrington had been sent to the pitch side monitor. Therefore, VAR let down the referee in this case.”

West Ham right to be awarded a penalty against Aston Villa at the London Stadium?

In the end, this won't mean much for Unai Emery and his players considering they were still able to secure the victory and all three points.

However, on a different day, this might have proved costly. It is fair to suggest that the penalty decision was a soft one.

Therefore, West Ham supporters could have had little complaints if the decision was overturned by VAR. As a result, these issues will need to be avoided in the future to ensure more controversy doesn't ensue.

In other Aston Villa news, the club have been backed to secure a last-ditch loan-to-buy deal.

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