Ref’s claim disputed by Villa keeper

KEVIN Friend insisted he had a “clear view” of the controversial Jack Grealish incident as he was confronted by furious Aston Villa players at Selhurst Park.

The referee ruled out a last-gasp Villa equaliser against Crystal Palace when he punished Grealish for what he perceived to be a dive leading up to Henri Lansbury’s disallowed “goal”.

Grealish hit the deck before the ball found its way to his team-mate and Friend punished the Villa captain with a yellow card for simulation and awarded a free-kick to Palace.

The celebrations among the Villa players were cut short and they were left understandably angry with the contentious decision.

It condemned Dean Smith’s side to a 1-0 defeat and goalkeeper Tom Heaton said: “There is no doubt it was very disappointing not to come away with something, no two ways about it.

“It is a difficult place to come but I thought we handled it really well, played some good football at times.

“With Trezeguet getting the second yellow it made things difficult but I thought we approached it well and weathered a bit of their storm.

“We let the four and the three at the back deal with their threat and it was working well.

“And then what happened at the end... elation for a splitsecond and then it is ruled out. That was a tough one to take.”

Heaton revealed: “I have seen it again. At the time... obviously I have seen Kevin Friend hundreds of times and I think he is top class, and I thought he must have seen something.

“He said to us at the end he had a clear view of it, but that is not my opinion. I think there were a couple, maybe three, fouls, a shove in the back and then [Gary] Cahill wipes him out.

“I’m not sure with VAR, when it lands to Henri and it goes in, can you bring it back or not? Generally I have no issues with refs. It is a tough job and he is one of the best, but these things can happen. I was assuming it was given for a dive.”