Broadcaster, Richard Keys has now voiced his discontent regarding VAR for Alex Moreno’s goal in Aston Villa’s clash against Everton.
Aston Villa travelled to Goodison Park this weekend to face a struggling Everton side in a return to Premier League action.
The game was a bit of a non-event and was the first 0-0 draw that Unai Emery has managed in his career in the league.
What caught people’s eye was the moment when Alex Moreno smashed home an excellent effort from the edge of the box.
There was a feeling that the goal was offside within the stadium as Leon Bailey looked like he was beyond the last man.
What came next was a three-minute and 45-second VAR check which left fans frustrated. This has now been commented on by various pundits including Gary Lineker and former Villa man, Micah Richards.
Now Richard Keys has made his feelings regarding the scenario clear, why also explaining what happened on the day.
Richard Keys on Aston Villa VAR drama
It is safe to say that Keys wasn’t very impressed with the VAR team during the game to make this decision on the day.
Speaking on his own blog, he first spoke out about how clear cut he felt the decision was that VAR were looking at.
On that, he said: “Bailey is clearly offside when he receives the ball as Villa pop it about from a corner. He’s ahead of Everton’s last man – Danjuma.
“Lenglet grabs him and holds onto him so that Villa can remain onside from their little set-piece movement. It’s a foul. It’s clearly and obviously a foul – so all Paul Tierney in VAR has to do is call it – but oh no – he wants to check for offside.”
With that being said, the decision could have been made in no time if the foul is as clear-cut as Keys made out. Never mind that the VAR carried on and looked further into it.
Continuing, Keys added: “When he sees that Bailey is offside he wants to check if it was in an APP – attacking phase of play. He decides it was. Well done Paul. Spot on. But he’s not finished yet – he then wants to see if Lenglet is blocking Jordan Pickford’s view of the ball. Why? None of this matters. Sorry!
“If Lenglet had kept Danjuma, who Tierney used to draw his lines from, just a little bit closer to the goal? Would Tierney have then acknowledged the foul? It came first – so there was no need for an offside check. It’s scary. Sorry!”
All this process could indeed have been ruled out should they have prioritised the right decision first. Despite this, they opted to check every possible thing to rule it out for whatever reason.
Yet another frustrating day for VAR.
