Aston Villa: Unai Emery demands explanation from Joao Pinheiro after ‘huge mistake’ vs Nottingham Forest

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Forest’s slender lead heading into next week’s return fixture has put Unai Emery’s side under pressure to get a result, but the boss clearly felt that things could have been different on Thursday night if not for the referee. Villa were left fuming when Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson lunged into a challenge on Ollie Watkins during the first half and planted his studs into the striker’s ankle, with both referee Joao Pinheiro and the VAR team deciding that the contact wasn’t enough to warrant a red card.

However, the lack of action regarding Anderson’s challenge has clearly left a bitter taste in the mouth for Emery and his team, and he made that obvious in his post-match interview. ForestStatsVilla50%Possession50%1.56xG0.795Shots on Target42Big Chances119Touches in Opposition Box235Corners7The final stats from Villa’s defeat to Nottingham Forest.The Spaniard demanded an explanation from the officiating team as to why a red card wasn’t shown for the tackle, and also suggested that it could have resulted in Watkins breaking his ankle.

Ex-refs chief baffled by Anderson controversy vs Aston VillaEx-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett was similarly perplexed by Pinheiro’s decision, as he told Football Insider on Thursday night that Anderson should have been sent off for his challenge. Hackett indicated that Anderson’s action had all the hallmarks of a challenge which should have been punished for serious foul play, and he also acknowledged that Pinheiro’s call to do nothing was “clearly not an option.”His surprise at the lack of punishment for Anderson has been shared across the footballing world, and it was a damning reflection on Thursday night’s officiating team to see a former chief condemn their error as well. 🦁 ASTON VILLA INSIDER UPDATE 🦁 Get the inside track on the Villa Park dugout, transfer strategy, player wages, and technical leadership at Bodymoor Heath.