Aston Villa’s manager Unai Emery has openly criticised the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after what he describes as a glaring oversight in the first‑leg semi‑final of the Europa League, where his side fell 1‑0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The incident in question occurred just after the half‑hour mark when Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson made a sliding challenge on Villa forward Ollie Watkins.
In the process of attempting to win the ball, Anderson’s studs made contact with Watkins’ ankle, an action that left the striker visibly in pain and, according to Emery, warranted an immediate red card. The on‑field referee, João Pinheiro, chose not to sanction Anderson at the moment, and after a brief review by VAR official Tiago Martins the original decision stood. Emery, who later spoke to TNT Sports, expressed his disbelief and frustration, insisting that the incident was “a clear red card” and that the VAR’s failure to intervene constituted “a huge mistake.” He praised Pinheiro’s overall performance, calling him “fantastic,” but accused the VAR of “doing very bad work” because the foul was evident to everyone watching.
Emery’s comments were emphatic: “The referee was fantastic, but the VAR was so bad. It’s a clear red card.
I watched it just now. I don’t understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear. I think it’s a huge mistake.
VAR is responsible.” He went on to ask rhetorically, “VAR, where are you? Please, it’s your responsibility,” and added that the challenge could have potentially broken Watkins’ ankle, underscoring the seriousness of the foul.
In the post‑match press conference, Emery reiterated his point, stating, “It is a huge mistake, a huge mistake. The VAR has a huge responsibility, and he must give us an explanation. It is crazy.” He argued that while referees cannot see every angle in real time, the VAR system exists precisely to correct such clear‑cut errors. “One action like that can break his ankle,” he said, emphasizing the potential severity of the infraction.
He also highlighted his own experience, noting, “In football I have worked 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?” Beyond the controversy, Emery reflected on the overall performance of his team. He acknowledged the defeat but insisted that Villa had created several chances and had been executing their game plan effectively. “We lost but we had our chances to score and we had momentum.
We were stopping their high press and the match was going as we planned,” he explained. He praised his side’s defensive effort, noting that they had dealt with crosses and even a penalty situation, but ultimately could not find a breakthrough.
Emery also looked ahead to the second leg at Villa Park, emphasizing that the tie was far from over. “We played the first 90 minutes and, of course, we are going to play another 90 minutes at Villa Park,” he said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining composure after conceding, saying, “After their goal, the most important thing was not to lose our minds and keep our gameplan.” He added that the team would analyse the match in detail, including discussions with players such as Lucas Digne, to identify areas for improvement. The manager’s remarks highlight a broader debate within football about the consistency and transparency of VAR decisions. Critics argue that the technology, while intended to reduce clear errors, sometimes creates new controversies when officials interpret incidents differently. In this case, the lack of a red card for Anderson sparked a heated reaction from Emery, who felt that the safety of his player and the fairness of the competition were compromised.
For fans and analysts, the incident serves as a reminder of the fine line referees must walk between allowing the game to flow and intervening to protect players. While the VAR system can review footage, the ultimate decision still rests with the on‑field officials and the VAR panel, who must decide whether an infringement meets the criteria for a sending‑off.
In Emery’s view, the criteria were met, and the failure to act was a “huge mistake” that could have serious ramifications for his team’s chances of progressing in the tournament. Looking forward, Villa will have the opportunity to overturn the deficit in the return fixture. Emery’s focus now shifts to preparing his squad, addressing any tactical tweaks, and ensuring that the team remains disciplined and resilient.
He concluded his remarks with a pragmatic outlook: “The match is not finishing in 95 minutes tonight. The match is continuing next week and we must try to come back with a result.” The controversy surrounding the VAR decision will undoubtedly be a talking point in the lead‑up to the second leg, and it may influence how both clubs approach the remainder of the tie. Whether the incident prompts any official review or clarification from UEFA’s disciplinary bodies remains to be seen, but for now, Emery’s outspoken criticism adds another chapter to the ongoing conversation about the role of technology in modern football.