Mauricio Pochettino has claimed match officials’ use of VAR “damages the image of English football” after Chelsea were denied an incredible comeback at Aston Villa.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men looked to end a horror week on a high when Axel Disasi’s header in the fourth minute of added time crashed off the crossbar to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
But Benoit Badiashile was adjudged to have fouled Diego Carlos in the build-up and the goal was ruled out, meaning the visitors had to settle for a point.
Referee Craig Pawson checks his pitchside monitor
Chelsea players fume at Craig Pawson after Axel Disasi’s late winner is denied
It looked like it would be another night to forget as Marc Cucurella’s own goal and a Morgan Rogers strike put Villa 2-0 up at the break.
But Chelsea, still licking their wounds from their 5-0 thrashing of Arsenal in midweek, responded well and equalized through Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher before the injury time drama.
Villa will feel like they have got away with it, despite being 2-0 up.
Pochettino said TNT Sports: “Everyone watching the game will be disappointed. Two different things, the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal, then went to VAR to confirm.
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Highlights from the Aston Villa vs Chelsea Premier League match.
“The referee is incredible and it’s ridiculous. It’s hard to accept, this kind of thing in the semi-final (FA Cup against Man City) two weeks ago, it was handball and there was no had no penalty, the referee did not check it.
“It’s painful because it was damaging to English football and I think the Villa players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed.
“They said it was a foul and if you see the challenge, what happens if we go into every challenge like this, it will be a foul and we won’t finish the game with 11 (players).
Chelsea’s enthusiastic response denied fairytale ending
Disasi’s header struck Robin Olsen as she headed towards the net.
Decision keeps Villa seven points clear of Spurs
“We can talk about the performance or the decision, it hurts the game.”
Aiming to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition for the first time, they were set to go nine points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham but looked leggy and not at their best.
The draw opened the door for Spurs, who have three games in hand, but Villa will still be favorites to finish fourth as the north London club still have Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to play.
Pochettino will be pleased with his side’s performance and they still have a chance of qualifying for Europe if they can finish an inconsistent season strong.
A disastrous defense from Diego Carlos allowed Cole Palmer to slalom into the box, but Olsen made a big save.
“I am calm and it is only to help,” added Pochettino. “The performance was very good and we played very well, it’s true in the first half, we conceded easily.
“The things we tried to change, the team didn’t concede too much. To face Villa who are fighting for the top four, I’m happy with the team and the players were good.
“I think it was what we expected and today was a good opportunity against a good team. Now we have to move on and it will be in the headlines with the disallowed goal. “
And after?
Thursday May 2 at 7 p.m.
Kick-off at 7:30 p.m.
Aston Villas the next outing is at home for Olympiacos in the first leg of their Conference League semifinal on Thursday; kick-off at 8 p.m.
Villa then travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday; kick-off at 2 p.m.
Chelsea are next in action at home for Tottenham Thursday, live Aerial sports; kick-off at 7:30 p.m. The Blues then welcome Western Ham on Sunday; kick-off at 2 p.m.
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