Where is VAR? – Villa boss Unai Emery is shaken by the penalty incident at Forest

On By Littum

Angry Aston Villa boss Unai Emery accused VAR official John Brooks of going missing during his side’s 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Emery said his side were denied a clear penalty in the first half when Morgan Rogers appeared to be brought down by Elliot Anderson.

Referee Sam Barratt ignored Villa protests and VAR Brooks did not intervene.

It looked like the decision would prove inconclusive as Villa took the lead in the second half through Jhon Duran, moments after a wonder save from Emiliano Martinez, only for goals from Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga – in the third minute of time added – to turn the game around.

Uninvited at his post-match press conference, Emery said: “Now I’ve seen it, it’s a clear penalty.

“It’s a big mistake from VAR. Today, VAR is a big mistake because it was clear that he (Rogers) had an advantage.

“Please. OK, not the referee. I respect the referee and I respect VAR, but VAR is there to help the referees.

“We watched it because everyone is VAR. We see it on TV, it’s a clear penalty. Where is VAR?

It was the fifth time in six attempts that Villa failed to win against the backdrop of a midweek Champions League clash as they struggle to make ends meet.

Emery doesn’t allow that to be used as an excuse.

“The Champions League is different, it’s completely different, it’s a different competition,” he added.

I think we should enjoy this because these are special moments

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo

“Last year we played in the Conference League and we finished fourth, that’s not an excuse.”

Forest may be starting to have Champions League dreams of their own after they moved into the top four.

The victory, which came on the back of beating Manchester United at Old Trafford last week, continues their remarkable turnaround from surviving relegation on the final day of last season.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has thought about it and wants to enjoy a “big moment” without getting too carried away.

Asked if they can compete for a top-four finish, he replied: “We are competing against every team in the Premier League, it’s not about that, it’s about preparing for the next one, focusing on the task in front of you and realizing , that you did not achieve anything.

“Today is a big moment, let’s enjoy it together, all fans, players. But we know Brentford will be so tough, just look at how many goals they’ve scored.

“Now we try to work on it, that’s the most important thing, match by match. I think we have to enjoy this because these are special moments. The previous game, today. We want to do it together, us and the fans, today was very special.”