November 27th 2024.
Unai Emery believed that Aston Villa had a strong hold on the game against Juventus. However, their hopes for a dramatic victory were crushed when the referee made a controversial call in the injury time. Emery and Ollie Watkins, both expressed their disappointment with the decision, labeling it as soft.
The moment of contention occurred when Morgan Rogers appeared to score a goal in the 94th minute, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. However, the goal was disallowed after the referee deemed that Diego Carlos had fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio during the build-up to the goal. Emery remained positive and acknowledged the fact that his team played well, but couldn't help but express his disappointment with the decision, which he believed would have been allowed in the Premier League.
"We were in control of the game," Emery stated in an interview with TNT Sports. He further added, "But, in the end, it all comes down to the referee's interpretation. In England, such incidents usually result in a goal, and it's not considered a foul. The call was very soft, and it's something that would have been allowed in the Premier League, but in Europe, it's a different story. We just have to accept it."
Despite the controversial call, Emery was content with how his team performed against a tough opponent like Juventus. He praised his players for sticking to the game plan and creating opportunities, even though there weren't many clear chances for either team. Emery also highlighted the fact that his team still has a chance to secure a spot in the top eight, which is their ultimate goal in the Champions League.
Watkins, who also shared his thoughts on the controversial decision, stated, "I believe it was a soft call. In the Premier League, it would have been considered a goal, but in Europe, the referees tend to protect the goalkeepers more. I thought it was a legitimate goal." He also admitted that Villa would have been lucky to walk away with three points, as the game seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw.
The young forward, Rogers, who briefly celebrated his goal, also shared his thoughts on the incident. He believes that referees in Europe are stricter compared to those in the Premier League, but it's something that Villa needs to adapt to as they continue their journey in the Champions League. "The refereeing is different, and we need to be mindful of that," he expressed. "In this competition, the referees don't let things slide as much as they do in the Premier League. We just have to accept that sometimes these decisions go in our favor, and sometimes they don't."
Despite the disappointment of not securing a win, Villa remains in a strong position in the Champions League, sitting at ninth place with 10 points. They are determined to continue their journey and secure a spot in the top eight, and with their performance against a tough opponent like Juventus, they have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
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