Aston Villa's recent match against Nottingham Forest ended with both disappointment and controversy, as manager Unai Emery expressed frustration over what he considered a clear penalty denied during the 2-1 defeat. The incident involving Morgan Rogers sparked significant debate among fans and analysts alike. Despite the setbacks, Villa had started the week positively by securing a thrilling 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League, displaying flashes of their attacking prowess.
At the City Ground, the stage was set for Villa to capitalize on their recent success. Unfortunately for the visitors, they had not won any of their last five attempts at this location, and their ambitions were soon tested. The match took off when Villa's Rogers fell under the challenge of Forest's Elliott Anderson inside the box, leading to strong penalty appeals. Referee Sam Barratt, having consulted VAR, decided against awarding the spot-kick, citing insufficient contact, labeling it merely as “a fleeting grab” on Rogers' arm.
"It’s a massive mistake from the VAR. Today, the VAR is a big mistake because it was clear, he had an advantage," stated Emery during his post-match comments, making it clear he was not backing down from critique. “OK, not the referee. I respect the referee and I respect the VAR, but the VAR is to help the referees. We watched it after because everybody is VAR. Where is the VAR?" His emphatic remarks underscored his frustration, particularly since he typically refrains from questioning refereeing decisions.
The match itself was tightly contested and marked by several moments of near-misses for both teams. After struggling early on, Villa took the lead just minutes after halftime. John McGinn’s well-placed cross found Colombian striker Jhon Duran, who powerfully headed home past the Forest keeper Mats Sels.
Yet, the lead was short-lived. Nottingham Forest, eager to claim three points at home, applied relentless pressure. Their effort paid off when Nikola Milenkovic leveled the score after some excellent build-up play, leading to his header finding its way past Villa's Emiliano Martinez. Villa had temporarily staved off disaster when Martinez saved a shot from Neco Williams, but they couldn't hold on as Forest's Anthony Elanga netted the winner after finding space on the counter during stoppage time.
This disappointing defeat marked Villa's fourth consecutive away loss, their worst streak since August 2022 under former manager Steven Gerrard. It certainly raises questions about their away form and overall consistency, especially considering how promising they looked against RB Leipzig just days prior.
Despite hints of brilliance, with Rogers showing flashes of good play before his penalty incident and Martinez's stunning saves keeping Villa competitive, the team's defensive lapses and failure to capitalize on opportunities proved costly. The inconsistency felt particularly evident during their last five league visits to the City Ground.
Next, Villa must regroup as they prepare to face Manchester City at home, hoping to reverse this recent trend and respond positively to both the scrutiny and critiques stemming from the Nottingham match. The stakes get even higher as they strive to maintain their position near the top of the Premier League standings.
From the VAR controversies to their struggles away from home, Aston Villa's recent performances have sparked dialogues around the effectiveness of officiation and the need for VAR technology to align with fair game play. Upcoming fixtures present opportunities to address these concerns and showcase the talent within their roster as they aspire for higher accolades this season.
