×
‘Huge mistake’: Aston Villa coach Emery hits out at VAR after Europa League loss to Nottingham Forest Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was scathing in his criticism of ​the Video Assistant Referee’s (VAR) decisions in the Europa ‌League first-leg tie against Nottingham Forest, ​taking issue with a tackle ⁠by Eliot Anderson.Anderson made a sliding tackle on Ollie Watkins in which he won the ball ‌but caught the English forward’s ankle with his studs, with VAR reviewing ‌the incident briefly before clearing it.“It’s ‌a ⁠clear red card – I don’t ⁠understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear,” Emery said after Thursday’s ​match, which Forest won ‌1-0 courtesy of a Chris Wood penalty in the 71st minute.“And it’s very, very important. It’s a huge, huge mistake. ‌VAR is responsible. The referee – fantastic, ​fantastic job, 10 out of 10. I appreciated how he managed ⁠the match for 90 minutes.MATCH REPORT | Forest beats Villa in Europa League semifinal first-leg“But I watched it back – wow. Huge. He could break ‌his ankle. Wow, VAR – where are you? Please. It is your responsibility, we are professionals. You are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody. He could break his ankle.”Despite the ‌severity of the challenge Watkins played the full ​90 minutes, a boost for Villa’s Champions League hopes for next season ⁠as this season comes to a close.Watkins ⁠is Villa’s top goalscorer this season, netting 15 goals so far in ‌all competitions.Villa, currently fifth in the Premier League table, faces relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur ​on Sunday.Published on May 01, 2026 #Huge #mistake #Aston #Villa #coach #Emery #hits #VAR #Europa #League #loss #Nottingham #Forest

‘Huge mistake’: Aston Villa coach Emery hits out at VAR after Europa League loss to Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was scathing in his criticism of ​the Video Assistant Referee’s (VAR) decisions in the Europa ‌League first-leg tie against Nottingham Forest, ​taking issue with a tackle ⁠by Eliot Anderson.

Anderson made a sliding tackle on Ollie Watkins in which he won the ball ‌but caught the English forward’s ankle with his studs, with VAR reviewing ‌the incident briefly before clearing it.

“It’s ‌a ⁠clear red card – I don’t ⁠understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear,” Emery said after Thursday’s ​match, which Forest won ‌1-0 courtesy of a Chris Wood penalty in the 71st minute.

“And it’s very, very important. It’s a huge, huge mistake. ‌VAR is responsible. The referee – fantastic, ​fantastic job, 10 out of 10. I appreciated how he managed ⁠the match for 90 minutes.

MATCH REPORT | Forest beats Villa in Europa League semifinal first-leg

“But I watched it back – wow. Huge. He could break ‌his ankle. Wow, VAR – where are you? Please. It is your responsibility, we are professionals. You are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody. He could break his ankle.”

Despite the ‌severity of the challenge Watkins played the full ​90 minutes, a boost for Villa’s Champions League hopes for next season ⁠as this season comes to a close.

Watkins ⁠is Villa’s top goalscorer this season, netting 15 goals so far in ‌all competitions.

Villa, currently fifth in the Premier League table, faces relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur ​on Sunday.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Huge #mistake #Aston #Villa #coach #Emery #hits #VAR #Europa #League #loss #Nottingham #Forest

Sports news , , , , , ,

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was scathing in his criticism of ​the Video Assistant Referee’s (VAR) decisions in the Europa ‌League first-leg tie against Nottingham Forest, ​taking issue with a tackle ⁠by Eliot Anderson.

Anderson made a sliding tackle on Ollie Watkins in which he won the ball ‌but caught the English forward’s ankle with his studs, with VAR reviewing ‌the incident briefly before clearing it.

“It’s ‌a ⁠clear red card – I don’t ⁠understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear,” Emery said after Thursday’s ​match, which Forest won ‌1-0 courtesy of a Chris Wood penalty in the 71st minute.

“And it’s very, very important. It’s a huge, huge mistake. ‌VAR is responsible. The referee – fantastic, ​fantastic job, 10 out of 10. I appreciated how he managed ⁠the match for 90 minutes.

MATCH REPORT | Forest beats Villa in Europa League semifinal first-leg

“But I watched it back – wow. Huge. He could break ‌his ankle. Wow, VAR – where are you? Please. It is your responsibility, we are professionals. You are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody. He could break his ankle.”

Despite the ‌severity of the challenge Watkins played the full ​90 minutes, a boost for Villa’s Champions League hopes for next season ⁠as this season comes to a close.

Watkins ⁠is Villa’s top goalscorer this season, netting 15 goals so far in ‌all competitions.

Villa, currently fifth in the Premier League table, faces relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur ​on Sunday.

Published on May 01, 2026

Source link
#Huge #mistake #Aston #Villa #coach #Emery #hits #VAR #Europa #League #loss #Nottingham #Forest

Tag

Related Posts

South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.

“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.

READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener">South Africa plans early Mexico arrival to adapt for World Cup opener South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.Published on May 01, 2026 #South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener

Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener">South Africa plans early Mexico arrival to adapt for World Cup opener

South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.

“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.

READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener
Deadspin | Twins bats come alive late to take down Jays in series opener Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night in Minneapolis. Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which won the opener of a four-game series. Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins. Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run. Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two. Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two. Toronto opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Varsho belted a 397-foot solo shot over the wall in right field for his fourth homer of the season and his first since April 14. The Twins responded to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, and Jeffers followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center field. Buxton continued his power surge in the sixth. He led off the inning with a solo shot to left-center field that marked his eighth homer of the season and his fifth homer in the past nine games. The blast by Buxton made it 3-1, and the Twins added another run in the sixth to seize a three-run lead. Martin ripped an RBI single to center to drive in Larnach. Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the eighth to increase its advantage to 7-1. Buxton started the big inning with a single to center. Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball that included a throwing error by Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and Bell capitalized moments later with a single to make it 6-1. Keaschall capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Bell. Twins relievers Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris and Justin Topa combined to pitch three scoreless innings to preserve the victory for Ober. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Twins #bats #alive #late #Jays #series #openerApr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which won the opener of a four-game series. Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins.

Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run.

Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two.

Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two.

Toronto opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Varsho belted a 397-foot solo shot over the wall in right field for his fourth homer of the season and his first since April 14.


The Twins responded to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, and Jeffers followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center field.

Buxton continued his power surge in the sixth. He led off the inning with a solo shot to left-center field that marked his eighth homer of the season and his fifth homer in the past nine games.

The blast by Buxton made it 3-1, and the Twins added another run in the sixth to seize a three-run lead. Martin ripped an RBI single to center to drive in Larnach.

Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the eighth to increase its advantage to 7-1.

Buxton started the big inning with a single to center. Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball that included a throwing error by Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and Bell capitalized moments later with a single to make it 6-1.

Keaschall capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Bell.

Twins relievers Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris and Justin Topa combined to pitch three scoreless innings to preserve the victory for Ober.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twins #bats #alive #late #Jays #series #opener">Deadspin | Twins bats come alive late to take down Jays in series opener Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night in Minneapolis. Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which won the opener of a four-game series. Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins. Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run. Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two. Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two. Toronto opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Varsho belted a 397-foot solo shot over the wall in right field for his fourth homer of the season and his first since April 14. The Twins responded to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, and Jeffers followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center field. Buxton continued his power surge in the sixth. He led off the inning with a solo shot to left-center field that marked his eighth homer of the season and his fifth homer in the past nine games. The blast by Buxton made it 3-1, and the Twins added another run in the sixth to seize a three-run lead. Martin ripped an RBI single to center to drive in Larnach. Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the eighth to increase its advantage to 7-1. Buxton started the big inning with a single to center. Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball that included a throwing error by Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and Bell capitalized moments later with a single to make it 6-1. Keaschall capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Bell. Twins relievers Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris and Justin Topa combined to pitch three scoreless innings to preserve the victory for Ober. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Twins #bats #alive #late #Jays #series #opener

Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their all-English Europa League semifinal on Thursday.

In a matchup of two teams hoping to revive former European glory, the win at the City Ground put Forest a step closer to what would be its first continental competition final in 46 years.

Wood fired his 71st-minute penalty high into the net, giving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez no chance to save after defender Lucas Digne was whistled for handball.

“It’s nice to have the advantage but going to Villa Park will be a tough game,” the New Zealand striker told the TNT Sports. “But we’ve done the job here at home and now hopefully, we’ll build into next week.”

Vítor Pereira’s team stretched its unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. Forest visits Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday before the semifinal second leg in Birmingham next Thursday.

Forest is in a relegation fight — currently five points above the Premier League drop zone. The winner of the Europa League title earns a spot in next season’s Champions League. That could create a scenario in which Forest gets relegated to England’s second division but also plays in Europe’s top club competition.

Forest has returned to Europe after 30 years to reach its fourth semifinal, but first since the 1984 UEFA Cup. That was after Forest dominated the European Cup — the predecessor of the Champions League — and won the trophy in 1979 and 1980. Villa became the European champion two years later.

Villa sits fifth in the Premier League and stands a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League domestically.

Villa coach Unai Emery has won the Europa League title four times — thrice with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.

In the other semifinal, Braga beat Freiburg 2-1 after substitute Mario Dorgeles netted the winner in second-half stoppage time in Portugal.

At 1-1, Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu denied Braga a golden opportunity to restore a lead by diving to his right to save a spot kick by Rodrigo Zalazar.

The Portuguese side hopes to advance to the final again after it lost to domestic rival Porto 1-0 in the 2011 title match.

The second legs are next Thursday and the final is in Istanbul on May 20.

In the third-tier Conference League, Ismaïla Sarr scored in the opening minute as Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the opening leg of their semifinal.

Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen also scored for Palace after Oleh Ocheretko had equalized for Shakhtar.

The game was played in Krakow, Poland, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The second leg is next Thursday in London.

Rayo Vallecano beat Strasbourg 1-0 in the Thursday’s other semifinal.

The final is on May 27 in Leipzig, Germany.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Forest #beats #Villa #Europa #League #semifinal #firstleg #Palace #wins #Conference #League #leg">Forest beats Villa in Europa League semifinal first-leg; Palace wins Conference League away leg Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their all-English Europa League semifinal on Thursday.In a matchup of two teams hoping to revive former European glory, the win at the City Ground put Forest a step closer to what would be its first continental competition final in 46 years.Wood fired his 71st-minute penalty high into the net, giving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez no chance to save after defender Lucas Digne was whistled for handball.“It’s nice to have the advantage but going to Villa Park will be a tough game,” the New Zealand striker told the TNT Sports. “But we’ve done the job here at home and now hopefully, we’ll build into next week.”Vítor Pereira’s team stretched its unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. Forest visits Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday before the semifinal second leg in Birmingham next Thursday.Forest is in a relegation fight — currently five points above the Premier League drop zone. The winner of the Europa League title earns a spot in next season’s Champions League. That could create a scenario in which Forest gets relegated to England’s second division but also plays in Europe’s top club competition.Forest has returned to Europe after 30 years to reach its fourth semifinal, but first since the 1984 UEFA Cup. That was after Forest dominated the European Cup — the predecessor of the Champions League — and won the trophy in 1979 and 1980. Villa became the European champion two years later.Villa sits fifth in the Premier League and stands a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League domestically.Villa coach Unai Emery has won the Europa League title four times — thrice with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.In the other semifinal, Braga beat Freiburg 2-1 after substitute Mario Dorgeles netted the winner in second-half stoppage time in Portugal.At 1-1, Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu denied Braga a golden opportunity to restore a lead by diving to his right to save a spot kick by Rodrigo Zalazar.The Portuguese side hopes to advance to the final again after it lost to domestic rival Porto 1-0 in the 2011 title match.The second legs are next Thursday and the final is in Istanbul on May 20.In the third-tier Conference League, Ismaïla Sarr scored in the opening minute as Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the opening leg of their semifinal.Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen also scored for Palace after Oleh Ocheretko had equalized for Shakhtar.The game was played in Krakow, Poland, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The second leg is next Thursday in London.Rayo Vallecano beat Strasbourg 1-0 in the Thursday’s other semifinal.The final is on May 27 in Leipzig, Germany.Published on May 01, 2026 #Forest #beats #Villa #Europa #League #semifinal #firstleg #Palace #wins #Conference #League #leg

Post Comment