Aston Villa vs Sheffield United Post-Match

[baddowvillans]

Just seen the "handball" on MOTD.  How VAR cannot tell Anthony Taylor that that was clearly and obviously not his shoulder that connected with the ball is beyond me.  If the tee shirt line is the yardstick it should be as "easy" as offside.  Draw a line on the tee short line and If any of the ball connects below the tee shirt it's handball

[Martyn Smith]

It seems to me that the philosophy of VAR is to, if in any doubt, err in favour of the defensive team. Even if the balance of doubt seems to lean heavily towards the attack.

In any case, we can moan about refereeing decisions all we like, but the real reason we didn't win is because we didn't create enough in open play. We weren't hard, fast and direct enough. All we can do now is learn from that for similar, future games. E. g. the one we've got coming up next weekend...

[RamboandBruno]

It seems to me that the philosophy of VAR is to, if in any doubt, err in favour of the defensive team. Even if the balance of doubt seems to lean heavily towards the attack.

In any case, we can moan about refereeing decisions all we like, but the real reason we didn't win is because we didn't create enough in open play. We weren't hard, fast and direct enough. All we can do now is learn from that for similar, future games. E. g. the one we've got coming up next weekend...

So from everything you’ve seen over the last 14 months, do you think Unai Emery’s tactics will be to go direct?

[85kota]

Our whole style of play is based on playing a high line and VAR has got numerous offside decisions right for us.

We don't really play a high line.

[astonvilla82]

Can't blame VAR for not giving the penalty for Watkins, it's down to the referee, get rid of VAR and you have people moaning we need new technology because Liverpool Manchester United Arsenal etc are getting all the decisions,

[astonvilla82]

It seems to me that the philosophy of VAR is to, if in any doubt, err in favour of the defensive team. Even if the balance of doubt seems to lean heavily towards the attack.

In any case, we can moan about refereeing decisions all we like, but the real reason we didn't win is because we didn't create enough in open play. We weren't hard, fast and direct enough. All we can do now is learn from that for similar, future games. E. g. the one we've got coming up next weekend...

So from everything you’ve seen over the last 14 months, do you think Unai Emery’s tactics will be to go direct?

Think they were times during the game that we could have used it to our advantage

[Monty]

Our whole style of play is based on playing a high line and VAR has got numerous offside decisions right for us.

We don't really play a high line.

Oh yes we do. We also play a medium-line sometimes. Against Sheffield United, however, the kind was on halfway.

[85kota]

Our whole style of play is based on playing a high line and VAR has got numerous offside decisions right for us.

We don't really play a high line.

Oh yes we do. We also play a medium-line sometimes. Against Sheffield United, however, the kind was on halfway.

We play one of the lowest in the Premier League.

[yammers]

https://twitter.com/paddypower/status/1738312151230558363

[pablo_picasso]

It seems to me that the philosophy of VAR is to, if in any doubt, err in favour of the defensive team. Even if the balance of doubt seems to lean heavily towards the attack.

In any case, we can moan about refereeing decisions all we like, but the real reason we didn't win is because we didn't create enough in open play. . All we can do now is learn from that for similar, future games. E. g. the one we've got coming up next weekend...

I disagree.

The real reason we didn't win is because we weren't hard, fast, direct enough & we didn't create enough in open play.

AND...

The officials fucked us over using VAR at least three times that would have directly contributed to either a goal, or two penalties.

If we score earlier, then Sheff U cant sit back with 357 men, a clamped bus & The 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards protecting their box.

They would have been forced to come out & make a go of it, we would have controlled the ball more & then once drawn them out into the open, we would have sliced them open & probably scored more.

Yes, we need to be better breaking down teams.

But we wouldn't have had to be in that Sheff U game if the officials did their jobs right...

[kippaxvilla2]

Var cannot be subjective that’s the biggest problem with it.  Call it for offsides and possibly penalties and get the rest of it in the bin.  Oh and the on field referees should stick with their decisions more often.  They’re obviously being told to change their minds.

[Martyn Smith]

Did anyone else also perceive that as well as defending their box, SU tried to kettle us down our left side? I don't know if they saw Lucas as a particular threat, perhaps?

[dcdavecollett]

Was this game VAR's worst night ever?

Okay, there wasn't a blatant injustice like the Liverpool non-goal at Spurs, but we've got plenty of other things to go on.

1. A two-handed shove in the back does not constitute a foul in the penalty area.

2. A relatively less meaningful hand on the 'keeper's arm DOES constitute a foul in the penalty area.

3. Twenty minutes later, a hand on the arm of a Villa player does NOT constitute a foul outside the penalty area. The free-kick is given to the other side.

4. Comments on the farce of the disallowed goal and the second-half handball in the box have already been covered by some of the folks on here.

Quite a collection, that. Enough to make a disappointing 1-1 draw into a four-goal stuffing.

The failure to punish SU's serial fouling in the first half could also be included.

When I say VAR got it wrong, so did the ref as well, I'm afraid -and by reputation he's one of the best in the league!

I'm disappointed that we didn't 'do a Brighton' and make a formal complaint and demand an apology from Webb, just to put a marker down and hopefully encourage the idea that we shouldn't have to put up with this level of incompetence.

[ldavfc4eva]

Excellent summary Dave, I think one of the main issues with VAR is that refs don’t always “ref” to the level they should, instead they are relying on the backup of VAR when they should lead from the front and manage the game first and foremost.

VAR has been a shambles, pure and simple.

[dcdavecollett]

Yes, there simply aren't enough good quality refs around to be on the pitch and watching in the studio.

In the end 'opinion' decisions are just that, and it's hard to bend the rules into a shape so that all officials will agree.