Friday, December 6, 2024

Watkins bemoans ´soft´ decision as Villa foiled by late VAR review

SoccerNews in Serie A 27 Nov 2024

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Aston Villa were left furious as Ollie Watkins bemoaned a “soft” decision to disallow Morgan Rogers’ late goal against Juventus on Wednesday.

Unai Emery’s side appeared to have snatched another impressive Champions League win in stoppage time when Rogers fired home.

Diego Carlos was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio after a VAR review, however, sparking fury from the home support at Villa Park following the goalless draw.

Watkins questioned the merits of what he claimed to be a debatable aerial challenge, though acknowledged the differences in officiating between European and Premier League football.

“I think it was soft. Maybe in the Premier League, it’s a goal. But in Europe, the goalkeepers are protected a lot. It’s one of them,” the Villa striker told TNT Sports.

“I thought we scored. But to be fair, this game had a 0-0 written all over it.”

When pressed further on the decision, Watkins added: “Obviously, I have to be careful talking about the referee. But it’s different in this competition.

“We are used to it now. Sometimes it goes against you and sometimes it goes in your favour.”

Emiliano Martinez had earlier produced an eye-catching save to claw Francisco Conceicao’s effort off the line, while John McGinn was denied from close range.

Watkins felt a point apiece was fair, though he may be concerned with Villa’s recent form.

Indeed, Villa are winless in their last seven games across all competitions (D3 L4), their longest run without a victory under Emery.

“It’s a positive result. The fans want to see a lot of goal and we do ourselves,” Watkins continued. “But the most important thing was we didn’t lose tonight.

“Juventus are a massive team and they played well. But we kept them out and now we move onto the weekend.”

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