Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery accused VAR of making a “huge mistake” in not recommending a red card for Elliot Anderson during his side’s 1-0 Europa League semi-final first leg defeat to Nottingham Forest.
After 31 minutes at the City Ground, Forest midfielder Anderson slid in to try and dispossess Villa’s Olllie Watkins, but, as he did, he caught the forward on the ankle with his studs up, and left him in considerable pain.
Referee Joao Pinheiro did not punish Anderson on the field and, after a very brief review, VAR Tiago Martins upheld that decision.
It was a decision Emery did not agree with, which he made clear after the match.
“The referee was fantastic, but the VAR was so, so bad,” he told TNT Sports.
“It’s a clear red card. I watched it just now. I don’t understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so, so clear.
“I think it’s a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible.
“The referee was fantastic, 10/10. He did a fantastic job and I appreciate a lot how he managed the match for 90 minutes.
“He could break his ankle. Wow. VAR, where are you? Please, it’s your responsibility.
“You are professional, but you are doing very bad work because it was so, so clear for everybody.”
In his post-match press conference, Emery added: “I am always 100 per cent with VAR, 100 per cent. But we must manage VAR good and in the right way.
“One action like that does not make sense because it is so, so clear. It’s no doubt. Where is the doubt? Where is the doubt watching the action? Where is it?”
