Aston Villa manager Unai Emery launched a fierce attack on VAR after his side slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Villa were left frustrated at the City Ground as a controversial decision overshadowed an otherwise tight contest, with Chris Wood’s second-half penalty proving the difference on the night.
Wood penalty gives Forest the edge
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute when Villa defender Lucas Digne was penalised for handball inside the box following a VAR review.
Wood stepped up and calmly converted, handing Forest a slender advantage ahead of the second leg.
It was a hard-fought encounter, with both sides creating chances in a tense, evenly balanced semi-final.
But while Forest celebrated a crucial win, the main talking point came from an earlier incident that left Emery visibly angry.
READ MORE: Europa League news: Aston Villa face Nottingham Forest in historic European semi-final
Emery’s VAR fury
In the first half, Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson made a strong challenge on Villa striker Ollie Watkins, catching his ankle with his studs despite winning the ball.
The referee allowed play to continue, and after a brief check, VAR chose not to intervene – a decision that sparked outrage from the Villa bench.
Emery did not hold back after the match.
“The referee was fantastic, but the VAR was so bad,” he told TNT Sports.
“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.
“The referee was fantastic. He did a fantastic job and I appreciate a lot how he managed the match for 90 minutes.
Level of danger
“He could break his ankle. Wow. VAR, where are you? Please, it’s your responsibility.
“You are professional, but you are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody.”
“It is a huge mistake, a huge mistake. The VAR has a huge responsibility, and he must give us an explanation. It is crazy,” Emery added in his post-match press conference.
‘Where was VAR?’ says Emery
“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?”
Despite the heavy contact, Watkins was able to continue and complete the full match, offering some relief for Villa as they look ahead to the return leg.
All to play for in the second leg
The result leaves Forest with a narrow advantage, but the tie remains finely poised heading into the second leg at Villa Park.
Emery will hope his side can respond at home and keep their European ambitions alive, but his post-match comments made clear that frustration with VAR could linger.
For Forest, the win represents a major step towards a first European final in decades.
For Villa, however, the focus will be on overturning the deficit – and ensuring that controversial decisions do not define the outcome of the tie.
READ NEXT: Champions League news: Penalty controversy lingers as Atletico Madrid and Arsenal share spoils
SportJustSport writers