Aston Villa's Director of Football Operations has criticised the decision to allow Manchester United's stoppage-time equaliser in Sunday's 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, saying referees had promised to clamp down on such incidents.
The thrilling contest saw Villa race into a 2-0 lead within five minutes through Alysson and Nicolas Jackson, before Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans levelled before the break. John McGinn scored from the penalty spot and Leon Goretzka made it 4-2 on 53 minutes.
Stoppage-time drama
With the clock past 90 minutes, substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu scored in injury time to rescue a point for Michael Carrick's side. Dorgu's headed goal was controversial as Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki claimed he was impeded by opposite number Senne Lammens, who was up for the corner.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane did not think it was a foul by the Belgian, telling Sky Sports: 'I don't think Suzuki gives himself the best chance of getting it, he's underneath it, just take a step back and attack it. There are bodies in the way, but there's lots going on, football is a contact sport. I have no problem with it.'
Referees' summer promise
The incident will divide opinion as Lammens appeared to look at Suzuki, turn his back to him and then deliberately nudge him with no attempt to play the ball. That was the stance of Damian Vidagany, who posted on X that referees had said during the summer that unbalancing or pushing a goalkeeper on purpose in the six-yard box would no longer be allowed.
Vidagany wrote: 'Lammens not even look at the ball, went straight to do a contact with the hip over Zion. Having said that we played good match and we must do better than last 6 minutes. We will do and we will improve. But the rules are the rules and must be respected. That is a fact.'
Emery's adaptation point
Villa boss Unai Emery said his 24-year-old goalkeeper, who arrived from Parma over the summer, is still getting used to Premier League officiating, which differs from elsewhere.
'When we are conceding the last goal in this corner, it is adaptation,' he told Sky Sports. 'Adaptation to the Premier League for Zion to settle here well. He must try to, because it is not the same timing. Here is not foul. They are pushing, they are disturbing the keeper. Of course, in another countries, another leagues, they are not permitting it. Here, yes. We have to continue analysing, having experiences, and trying to avoid situation like we conceded.'
