Aston Villa endured frustration as their injury-time goal against Juventus was disallowed in a tightly contested Champions League match.
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Morgan Rogers had briefly celebrated putting Villa ahead in the 94th minute, only for the referee to rule that Diego Carlos fouled Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio during the buildup.
Unai Emery and Ollie Watkins criticized the soft decision, highlighting the difference in refereeing standards between the Premier League and European competitions.
Emery Criticizes the Decision
Unai Emery expressed disappointment despite praising Villa’s performance. “We dominated the match,” he said, adding that such goals are usually allowed in the Premier League.
Emery acknowledged the stricter refereeing in Europe but insisted the foul call was unnecessary, particularly in a match as finely balanced as this one. He commended his team for their execution and believed they were closer to victory than their Italian opponents.
Watkins Voices Frustration
Ollie Watkins echoed his manager’s sentiments, calling the disallowed goal a soft decision. The England international admitted that the match had “0-0 written all over it” but felt the call could have gone in their favor in a different league.
Watkins acknowledged the challenges of adapting to European refereeing but remained confident in Villa’s ability to navigate such situations moving forward.
Villa’s Champions League Hopes Still Alive
The draw leaves Aston Villa ninth in the standings with 10 points, still in the hunt for a top-eight finish in the Champions League.
Emery highlighted the progress his side has made in their European campaign, emphasizing their ability to compete with top teams and their strong preparation for the decisive fixtures ahead.
