Former England players agree with Crystal Palace official on ‘harsh’ Aston Villa penalty.
On Saturday, Aston Villa defeated Crystal Palace at Villa Park, but the victory was not without controversy.
One of the more noticeable talking points from the weekend’s Premier League action was the giving of a penalty to Aston Villa late in their match against Crystal Palace, which irritated the Eagles’ camp.
Palace had taken the lead early in the second half through Odsonne Edouard’s goal and appeared to be on their way to a victory at Villa Park. However, Jhon Duran leveled in the 87th minute, and the visitors’ dreams of returning to the capital were dashed in injury time when Ollie Watkins went down in the area following a challenge by Chris Richards.
Leon Bailey scored to make it 3-1, but the penalty decision left a sour taste in the mouth for Palace fans, as it took four minutes between the challenge and Luiz stepping up to take it after VAR told referee Darren England to take another look, despite the official initially pointing to the spot.
With Palace manager Roy Hodgson absent from the sidelines due to illness in the run-up to the game, first team coach Paddy McCarthy commented afterwards about the decision, and he wasn’t impressed.
“To concede a goal in the 87th minute and then concede a goal later in controversial circumstances is disappointing,” he remarked.
“If making a decision takes five minutes, that tells you everything you need to know.” People in the studio have requested that he go have a look. Whatever he saw on the monitor had no effect on his decision.”
Richards appeared to have gotten a lot of the ball in his tackle, and a couple of high-profile experts agreed on the ruling.
“I feel for the Palace players, I feel [Villa] have gotten away with one,” Danny Murphy stated on Match of the Day. “I don’t think it’s an absolute howler.”
“I think it’s very harsh,” said host and former England star Gary Lineker. At least he gave it himself and stuck with it, but I think Crystal Palace will struggle. Sometimes you need a little luck.”
