LONDON — Unai Emery slammed the decision not to send off Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson as Aston Villa crashed to a 1-0 defeat in the Europa League semi-final first-leg.
Chris Wood’s second-half penalty, awarded for a needless handball by Lucas Digne, fired Forest to a tense victory at the City Ground.
But Villa boss Emery was incensed by Forest midfielder Anderson’s escape after his ugly foul on Ollie Watkins in the first half, AFP reported.
“The VAR is so, so bad. It’s a clear red card; I don’t understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear. It’s a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible,” Emery said.
“The referee, fantastic, fantastic job, 10 out of 10, I appreciated how he managed the match for 90 minutes.
“But I watched it back. Wow. Huge. He could break his ankle. VAR where are you? It is your responsibility, we are professionals.
“It was so clear for everybody. He could break his ankle. It’s not fair.”
Insisting Villa can still bounce back and reach their first European final since 1982, Emery added: “After their goal the most important thing was not to lose our mind and to keep our game plan.
“The match is not finished; it continues next week. We must come back.”
While Emery fumed, Vitor Pereira hailed gritty Forest’s spirited display.
Forest will travel to Villa Park for the second leg on May 7 aiming to reach their first continental showpiece since winning the 1980 European Cup.
“We changed the players but kept the spirit. The mentality to try to win games. The supporters, fantastic, they help us a lot. Next time we face a big battle,” Forest boss Pereira said.
Forest, who twice won the European Cup under Brian Clough, were playing in their first semifinal in Europe since the legendary manager took them to the last four in the UEFA Cup in 1983-84.
“For me it’s an honour to manage this club, to try to help these payers, to see the smiles on the faces of these supporters. To be part of the Nottingham family with a manager in the memory of everyone. I am very proud of my players,” said Pereira, who is Forest’s fourth manager of a turbulent season.
After taking just one point from two Premier League meetings with Villa this season, Pereira said he had learnt how to subdue Emery’s team.
“I am proud we played in our way, pressing high but if they attack then reorganise the team in a block. Tactically, we did what we should,” he said.
“The transition of Villa is very dangerous, when they drive with the ball at our defensive line, it’s a big problem.”
