In a dramatic turn of events at London Stadium, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed strong dissatisfaction with video assistant referee (VAR) technology after Axel Disasi’s stoppage-time goal was controversially disallowed in their draw against Aston Villa.
The match began with Villa taking an early lead through a deflected goal from John McGinn, followed by Morgan Rogers doubling their advantage. Chelsea fought back with goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher, leveling the score. However, the climax came when Disasi appeared to score the winner in the dying minutes, only for VAR to intervene and rule it out for a foul in the build-up.
Pochettino criticized the decision, stating that it “damaged” English football and questioned the consistency of VAR. Despite the disappointment, Chelsea showed resilience in their comeback, especially after their recent defeat to Arsenal. However, defensive vulnerabilities persist, with the team failing to keep a clean sheet in 14 consecutive away games.
Villa, meanwhile, faced their own setbacks with goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s early substitution due to injury. Despite a promising start, they struggled to maintain their lead and were fortunate to escape with a point. Rogers continued to impress with another goal, showcasing his growing importance to the team.
Ultimately, the draw leaves Chelsea frustrated and Villa contemplating their dwindling top-four hopes, with both teams facing challenges in the remaining fixtures of the season.
Credit: BBC Sport
