Aston Villa challenge late Manchester United equaliser after Roy Keane comments
Aston Villa director of football operations Damien Vidagany challenged the decision to allow Manchester United’s late goal that completed a 4-4 draw, after Roy Keane said he saw no foul in the challenge on goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The goal sparked controversy after Villa players believed Senne Lammens had fouled their keeper before Patrick Dorgu, in
Aston Villa director of football operations Damien Vidagany challenged the decision to allow Manchester United’s late goal that completed a 4-4 draw, after Roy Keane said he saw no foul in the challenge on goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The goal sparked controversy after Villa players believed Senne Lammens had fouled their keeper before Patrick Dorgu scored from a late corner.
Villa went 2-0 up in the first three minutes at Old Trafford through goals from Alisson and Nicolas Jackson, before United drew level before the break with a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a goal from Youri Tielemans. In the second half, John McGinn scored from the penalty spot and Leon Goretzka added another, before Joshua Zirkzee reduced the deficit in stoppage time and Dorgu scored the equaliser.
Keane felt Suzuki had not dealt well with the ball and that what happened was part of the physical contact in football, while Ashley Young also felt the challenge was not enough for a foul to be given. Vidagany responded that referees had told clubs before the season that pushing or deliberately distracting a goalkeeper inside the six-yard box would not be allowed. He said Lammens had gone towards Suzuki rather than following the ball.
Villa manager Unai Emery said it was difficult to accept United’s two late goals, but described dealing with such situations as a learning process. He added that Suzuki needs to adapt to the Premier League and that the team must analyse the situation and avoid a repeat. He also acknowledged that Villa had not defended the corner for the equaliser well.