Emery's Strong Criticism of VAR After Europa League Semi-Final Defeat
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expressed strong dissatisfaction with the video assistant referee (VAR) following Nottingham Forest's 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. Emery's frustration centered on the VAR's failure to recommend a red card for Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after a dangerous tackle.
During the first half, Anderson executed a sliding tackle where he cleanly won the ball but then caught Ollie Watkins' ankle with a high, studs-up challenge. Referee Joao Pinheiro did not issue any disciplinary action, and the VAR review appeared to be very brief before the decision stood.
Forest later secured the win through a penalty awarded after a VAR review, which Chris Wood successfully converted. Emery accepted the penalty decision but remained critical of the VAR's handling of Anderson's tackle.
"Fantastic, the referee, fantastic," Emery told TNT Sports. "But the VAR is so, so bad. It's a clear red card - I don't understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it's so clear.
"And it's very, very important. It's a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible.
"The referee - fantastic, fantastic job, 10 out of 10. I appreciated how he managed the match for 90 minutes.
"But I watched it back - wow. Huge. He could break his ankle. Wow, VAR - where are you? Please. It is your responsibility, we are professionals. You are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody [to see]. He could break his ankle.
"I respect the referees always but VAR, I don't understand. It's not fair."
'He Must Give Us an Explanation'
Emery, who has won five Europa League titles with Spanish clubs but none with an English team, expressed his anger both immediately after the match and during the post-match press conference.
He acknowledged the penalty decision without dispute, stating:
"The penalty I didn't watch - everyone is telling me it's a penalty."
The penalty was awarded after Lucas Digne was penalised for handling Omari Hutchinson's cross. Initially, the ball appeared to have gone out for a goal-kick before Hutchinson managed to keep it in play, leading to the penalty decision upon VAR review.
Returning to the incident involving Anderson, Emery elaborated:
"I watched the action of Anderson on Watkins, and the referee did a fantastic job.
"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% with VAR, but we must manage it good and in the right way. One action like that, there is no doubt. Where is VAR?"
Emery's Previous Comments on VAR
Emery has previously expressed support for VAR technology. In October 2023, he stated:
"I'm always positive with VAR. I think it is good for football. I think it helps the referee always."
However, in December 2024, following Jhon Duran's sending off against Newcastle United, Emery remarked:
"Always I am supporting VAR, but you have to use VAR.
"Today the red card was clear for the referee straight away. He was the only person in the stadium who couldn't take his time."
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