Unai Emery told to 'withdraw his comment' on Aston Villa controversy vs Nottingham Forest

Unai Emery has been left frustrated following late controversy in Aston Villa's loss to Nottingham Forest.

The Villans were defeated 2-1 at Villa Park, as a first win of the Premier League season still beckons.

Things were beginning to look up when Alysson managed to pull a goal back following Liam Delap's opening strike.

It was Villa's first goal of the season and they began looking like the better side. That was until Ian Maatsen was forced off the pitch through injury.

A tackle from James McAtee was awarded as a free-kick to Aston Villa, but it was the Villans who felt the most consequences from the controversy.

Following the aftermath of the game, Emery had strong words about the officiating with former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett reacting.

Should James McAtee have been sent off for tackle on Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen?

Emery feels like Aston Villa were dealt an injustice against Nottingham Forest.

In his post match press conference, Emery stated he felt VAR should have intervened on McAtee's tackle on Maatsen.

The Englishman was nowhere near the ball, and the tackle meant the Dutchman could no longer continue.

The Forest man was awarded a yellow card for the poorly timed tackle.

However, Emery's anger may be misdirected as Hackett delivered his judgement on the incident.

Speaking to Villa News, Hackett stated: "Unai Emery when he takes a second look at this challenge, should find himself withdrawing his comment that the challenge was an act of Serious Foul Play (red card offence).

"Video replays show that the match officials in producing a yellow card in my opinion judged the offence correctly. it meets the criteria of a reckless challenge.

"The law states: Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned (yellow card)."

Why Unai Emery's reaction to McAtee tackle is understandable

It does feel harsh that Aston Villa was ultimately left with 10 men on the field following a tackle from Nottingham Forest.

McAtee's tackle while perhaps not meeting the threshold for a red card in the eyes of Hackett, did have significant consquences for the match.

Maatsen had to be withdrawn from the game, and with Emery out of substitutions, the Villans were a man down.

Ultimately, Forest's winning goal came down the side of Maatsen, which was being covered by John McGinn.

If Maatsen did not have to go off injured, the game may have ended differently.

It was not to the fault of Emery that a late winner came as a result of the McAtee challenge, so it is understandable why he is so frustrated.