Aston Villa salvaged a point against West Ham United on Sunday in a fixture full of VAR drama.
Nicolo Zaniolo cancelled out Michail Antonio’s opener for David Moyes’ side with a neat second-half finish.
The Italian’s goal appeared to have come in vain after Tomas Soucek bundled in a later winner for the hosts.
However, after a significant VAR stoppage, the midfielder’s goal was ruled out for handball, handing Aston Villa a vital point.
Talking on the Premier League All-Access Podcast, ITV lead commentator Sam Matterface has called for a timer to be introduced after the weekend drama at the London Stadium.
Sam Matterface calls for VAR rule change after Aston Villa controversy
The talkSPORT commentator has suggested that three minutes should be the maximum time officials can deliberate with the screen.
“It’s [Soucek’s goal] a bit like the Teden Mengi one at the weekend. It took an absolute age,” he said [talkSPORT’s Premier League All-Access Podcast, 49m 21s].
“Look, I want them to get it right, I really do. Henry Winter, on the Sunday edition of talkSPORT, suggested a three-minute rule.
“If you can’t sort it out in three minutes, it isn’t clear or obvious. I think that’s probably true. It’s there for howlers; if you can’t spot that, you need to put a time limit on it. You’ve got to say what the situation is within three minutes.”
How much have Aston Villa been impacted by VAR this season?
ESPN is tracking who benefits the most from VAR during the 2023/24 season, and it makes for interesting reading for Villa fans.
According to the report, only Fulham and Nottingham Forest have benefitted more than Aston Villa this season. Unai Emery’s side have a VAR net score of +2.
Let’s take a slightly deeper dive into the current numbers.
So far, Villa have been involved in 13 overturned decisions, two of which have led to goals given.
However, five goals have been disallowed due to the technology. Thus far, no side has been awarded a goal against Villa due to VAR. Another positive is that Emery has seen four goals chalked off for the opposition.
It’s a controversial technology that appears to be doing Villa favours.
