Aston Villa manager Unai Emery launched a scathing attack on VAR after it failed to penalize Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson for a tackle that Emery described as potentially 'ankle breaking.' The incident occurred during the first leg of the Europa League semi-final at the City Ground on Thursday evening, which Forest won 1-0 via a Chris Wood penalty.
Emery's Outburst
In his post-match press conference, Emery did not hold back. 'Fantastic, the referee, fantastic,' he said. 'But the VAR is so, so bad. It's a clear red card. I watched it and I don't understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it's so, so clear. It's a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible.'
He praised the on-field referee but reserved his ire for the video assistant. 'The referee - fantastic, fantastic job, 10 out of 10, he did a fantastic job. I appreciated how he managed the match for 90 minutes. I watched it back... Wow. Huge. He could break his ankle. VAR, where are you? It is your responsibility; we are professionals, you are professionals, but you are doing very badly, because it was so clear to everybody.'
Risk to Players
Emery emphasized the danger of the challenge. 'He could break his ankle. Respect the referee always, but VAR, I don't understand. It's not fair.' He continued in the press conference: 'It is a huge mistake, a huge mistake, because Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle. It is the VAR's responsibility and he must give us an explanation about it because it's crazy watching this action.'
The Spanish coach, with two decades of experience, expressed his support for VAR in principle but demanded better implementation. 'I am 100% with VAR but we must manage VAR good and in the right way. One action like that doesn't make sense. It is so, so clear. Where is the doubt? The risk is to the players. Where is VAR? Wow, crazy.'
Looking Ahead
Aston Villa return to Premier League action this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. The second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest is scheduled for next week.
