Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[BoVillan esq]

On the penalty, it's the inconsistency that absolutely boils my piss.  We seem to be the only team that has had any decisions on the in/out of play thing - the only other case I can remember being remotely similar was the one a few years back where Manure scored at West Ham.  There the ball was clearly a couple of metres beyond the touchline in the air before swinging back in, yet everyone was told that VAR couldn't intervene on that one.

Football doesn't have 'hawkeye' technology on the touchlines yet, and my understanding is that in/out is still currently the decision of the on field officials.  The linesman clearly indicated for a goal kick as soon as it happened, so I don't know why VAR even intervenes at that stage.

If VAR is going to overrule officials on this, then it also needs to start being used for goal kicks and corners.  Or just f*ck the whole thing off and make the game much more enjoyable.

Let's face it when it comes to VAR, they are making it up as they go along.
It changes from game to game, depending on who is involved and what is at stake.

It is still completely subjective. The only difference is it is done from a studio 100 miles away.

I thought it was done in the back of a van??. seriously.

[saint13]

Forest fan here

Good result for us, but it's only half time and we don't have a very good record at Villa Park, so obviously all to play for. Can't help but feel we needed to score a second and take advantage of being at home.

Very surprised that Anderson got away with the red card challenge - 10 years ago, there'd be nothing wrong with that, but by todays standards it's a red and I'm surprised it wasn't given.

A couple of points to clarify; the fireworks at the end of game always happen after a win at night; its something that started in our promotion season and seems to have continued as a tradition. I'm not a massive fan of it, but the majority seem to like it. There's also been a few videos online of Forest fans seemingly extremely confident that the job is done; those on social media just shout the loudest. I can guarantee, 99% of forest fans are very much aware that the tie is still in the balance.

Great post. All the best for the rest of the season...within reason of course!!

[that_lovin_feelin]

You seem a sensible chap TLF. Good luck for the rest of the season after Thursday, and hopefully we each help the other side out on Sunday/Monday.

Very much keeping an eye on this game, certainly feel it will be difficult for Spurs to get anything from it. Out of interest, how are you feeling about the second leg? I think you'll start off very strong and really go for it. I give us a chance if we can keep it tight in the first 20 mins, possibly create a bit of nervousness in the crowd. Villa Park hasn't been a good place for us since our PL return, but we're in a good bit of form atm, so it's a difficult one to call.

[Somniloquism]

For me it probably was a penalty but the question is more about what VAR should be doing.

Is 4-5minutes checking if that had crossed the line really acceptable in the same match where someone going over the ball and studs up into a player's ankle got less than 30 seconds of review?

What do we want to use the tech for because right now it's leaning heavily towards pedantic re-refereeing of marginal calls whilst ignoring serious foul play.

The minutes was for both decisions. A check if it went out, a check on whether it was a deliberate handball. Once both was confirmed then they needed the ref to decided for himself which added more time on.

[RichardBatchelor]

Hi TLF. Forest. Good club. Hope you have a shit week.

Return leg I'd go (presuming Onana's out for two months again):

Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne

McGinn
Luiz

Sancho
Tielemans
Rogers

Watkins

Digne? Are you mad, sir?


The rest, yes.

[ChicagoLion]

You seem a sensible chap TLF. Good luck for the rest of the season after Thursday, and hopefully we each help the other side out on Sunday/Monday.

Very much keeping an eye on this game, certainly feel it will be difficult for Spurs to get anything from it. Out of interest, how are you feeling about the second leg? I think you'll start off very strong and really go for it. I give us a chance if we can keep it tight in the first 20 mins, possibly create a bit of nervousness in the crowd. Villa Park hasn't been a good place for us since our PL return, but we're in a good bit of form atm, so it's a difficult one to call.

The first goal will be crucial. I do not think we will throw the kitchen sink at the game.
It will be about exerting control and expecting a breakthrough before half time or early in the second half.

[paul_e]

For me it probably was a penalty but the question is more about what VAR should be doing.

Is 4-5minutes checking if that had crossed the line really acceptable in the same match where someone going over the ball and studs up into a player's ankle got less than 30 seconds of review?

What do we want to use the tech for because right now it's leaning heavily towards pedantic re-refereeing of marginal calls whilst ignoring serious foul play.

The minutes was for both decisions. A check if it went out, a check on whether it was a deliberate handball. Once both was confirmed then they needed the ref to decided for himself which added more time on.

Great, doesn't really change the fact that a decision on a marginal call if a ball was out of play or not was given much more scrutiny that a potential leg-breaking challenge.

Again this is about priorities, was VAR introduced to waste huge amounts of time over-ruling subjective decisions on things like whether the ball is out of play or not or was it to protect players and ensure things the ref didn't see clearly but should be addressed. The latter effectively replaces the old system where games could be reviewed and players referred to a citing officer and was an obvious improvement.

I think the main reason VAR is so hated right now is that it's focused on the former which was never the big problem that needed to be addressed and isn't particularly suited to a re-referee it but from the car park treatment when it could be much better handled by technology. Strip it right back and only use it for offsides/out of play when it's blatant and instead focus on it being a tool for the ref to see things from another angle, get rid of the bullshit of red or nothing and stop treating the penalty area as sacred (so things inside can be reviewed at a much lower threshold). The Eze one from Weds is a good example, despite me agreeing with the final decision (because he was absolutely playing for the foul) I'd much prefer if that wasn't reviewed but instead reviews were consistent because there's no chance that gets checked anywhere else on the pitch.

[astonvilla82]

F me I am still pissed off

[cdbearsfan]

You seem a sensible chap TLF. Good luck for the rest of the season after Thursday, and hopefully we each help the other side out on Sunday/Monday.

Very much keeping an eye on this game, certainly feel it will be difficult for Spurs to get anything from it. Out of interest, how are you feeling about the second leg? I think you'll start off very strong and really go for it. I give us a chance if we can keep it tight in the first 20 mins, possibly create a bit of nervousness in the crowd. Villa Park hasn't been a good place for us since our PL return, but we're in a good bit of form atm, so it's a difficult one to call.

Genuinely no idea. We have to start well. Get an early goal and we are favourites but the longer it goes 0-0, or if Forest get a goal, we would be under massive pressure. It's about 50/50, IMO.

[Beard82]

I agree with paul_e

In historical terms - were ignoring the hand of god, but spending 5 minutes working out if Geoff Hurst's goal was over the line

[cdbearsfan]

I agree with paul_e

In historical terms - were ignoring the hand of god, but spending 5 minutes working out if Geoff Hurst's goal was over the line

It wasn't.

You're welcome.

[Brazilian Villain]

Correct, CD. I was watching it in Ireland, and it definitely brushed off Maradona's hair rather than hitting his hand.

[Somniloquism]

The handball was a definitive decision though, the sort of thing that VAR can do in 99% of cases, even if it miniscule measurements. The tackle is subjective and as I mentioned in the Tom debate, what the ref tells VAR about decisions is taken into account with any check they make. I think most thought the tackle on Watkins was "ok" in real time as shown by the lack of reactions from our players and bench. However if the ref stated "I saw the challenge and Anderson won the ball but caught Watkins on the follow through, but nothing to penalise", they might have took that as not enough of a clear and obvious error to send him to the monitor.  I definitely don't agree with that and I'm as adamant that it was a red as any on here, and there is no way any ref who saw that again doesn't give it or realise they made a clear error in the first case. It is why audio of VAR for incidents like that should be released out as a matter of transparency.

[Beard82]

I dont understand how the handball can be objective - they dont have the tech.

They looked at it and made a judgement call - which was probably correct - but I dont see that as there remit

[Sexual Ealing]

I've missed the last few pages. Could anyone summarise*?

*If anyone tries I'll kill them cold dead and bloody with the full force of my hands and equipment.