Ex-FIFA official reacts to Chelsea penalty controversy vs Aston Villa

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.

Credit: Imago Sat 27 December 2025 19:38, UK Chelsea felt that they should have had a penalty in the first half of their defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. The home side took the lead through Joao Pedro in the first half, but were pegged back when Ollie Watkins equalised after the break.The striker then added a headed second in the closing stages of the game, to hand Unai Emery‘s team yet another massive win.Villa’s title chances are rising by the week, having now won an incredible 11 consecutive Premier League matches.

Credit: ImagoKeith Hackett weighs in on Ian Maatsen incident Villa have reportedly considered selling Watkins in January, but after the striker’s second-half performance on Saturday, decision-makers would surely have to be mad to sanction his sale.The England international terrified the Chelsea back-line, capitalising on Benoit Badiashile‘s mistake for the equaliser, before he thumped home the winner with his head. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES But the Blues will argue that they should have had a penalty, and a chance to double their advantage in the first half.Ian Maatsen was tracking the run of Pedro Neto, and had his hands outstretched to keep contact with the winger.The Chelsea forward looked to have a chance to get on the cross, before it struck the arm of Maatsen and deflected away from goal.The Portugal international’s protests fell on deaf ears, with the video assistant referee confirming the decision and explaining that the Villa defender’s arms had been in a natural position.

Support the decision.”Aston Villa continue to deny the dataChelsea will be unhappy with the penalty decision, but they should be angrier with their failure to take their chances. They came out on the wrong side of metric again on Saturday, but excelled in the most important one – goals.Whether they can keep it up is anyone’s guess.