VAR far from spot on
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith and his Brighton counterpart Graham Potter have joined forces to cal l for clar it y surrounding VAR.
With Brighton 2-1 up in stoppage time, referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty to Villa for Solly March ’ s tack le on Trezeguet, only to change his decision after viewing a replay of the incident.
The VAR check showed March got a piece of the ball before making contact with the Egyptian forward.
And Brighton, who had Tariq Lamptey sent off moments earlier, hung on for their first league win in seven games.
But Smith fumed: “I don’t know what a penalty is now. We could all hear the contact inside the ground.
“If VAR thinks it’s not a
penalty then just tell the referee it’s not a penalty.”
Potter said: “We’ve had a few against us so I’m not sure what is and what isn’t a penalty these days.
“I know Solly touched the ball so we’re just happy it went our way this time.
“In the last minute, your heart’s in your mouth and it would have been harsh on the players given the effort they put into it.
“It looked like it was a bit exaggerated if I’m honest and I thought Solly got a touch on the ball but it’s fine margins.”
Danny Welbeck’s first goal for Brighton set them on their way as he latched on to Adam Lallana’s through ball and lifted it into the net.
Aston Villa equalised at the start of the second half as Ezri Konsa slid in to turn home Adama Traore’s well-placed free-kick.
In an end to end encounter, March netted Brighton’s winner with a curling effort into the far corner.