Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said it was “crazy” that Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson avoided a red card in the Europa League semi-final first leg.
Forest seized the advantage after Chris Wood’s second-half penalty earned a 1-0 win at the City Ground, coming after VAR intervened to rule the ball had not gone out before Lucas Digne handled.
But Emery was fuming that the technology did not get used for Anderson’s first-half tackle on Ollie Watkins, which looked to have caught his England team-mate on the ankle with his studs.
“I watched the action of Anderson on Watkins, and the referee did a fantastic job,” Emery said. “I was so, so feeling comfortable with how he managed the game in 90 minutes, but after watching it again, it is the VAR responsibility.
“It is a huge mistake, a huge mistake. Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle. The VAR has a huge responsibility and he must give us an explanation. It is crazy.
“The ref can’t watch it like me. One action like that can break his ankle. The VAR makes sense if they are fair. What is your opinion? Wow.
“In football I work 20 years as a coach, sometimes decisions are tight. I am 100 per cent with VAR, but we must manage it good and in the right way. One action like that, there is no doubt. Where is VAR?”
Had Forest been down to 10 men it might have been a different story as Vitor Pereira’s men put themselves 90 minutes away from a first European final since the glory days of Brian Clough.
It was an even contest in the late April sunshine, with both goalkeepers making fine saves to keep the score level.
The decisive moment came in the 70th minute when Omari Hutchinson kept the ball in and Digne handled, with Wood dispatching the penalty in style.
Aston Villa eyeing move for Serie A midfielder
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Villa are set to do battle with Tottenham for the signing of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana.
A 25-cap France international, Fofana is expected to leave Milan this summer due to their own interest in Leon Goretzka.
Both Villa and Spurs have submitted offers to the 27 year-old's representatives, but Tottenham's is on the condition that they stay up, leaving Emery in the driver's seat to seal a deal.
Fofana has featured 29 times in Serie A this season, scoring twice and providing three assists, and has two years remaining on his contract.
Known for his physicality, defensive contributions and ball progression, he could be seen as a replacement for Amadou Onana if the Belgium star were to leave Villa Park.