Agbonlahor lambasts ‘ridiculous’ rule as controversial Lucas Digne-Aston Villa footage analysed
Gabriel Agbonlahor has slammed “ridiculous” handball rules insisting Crystal Palace should never have been awarded a penalty against Aston Villa.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Villa striker insisted Lucas Digne was “very unlucky” to concede a penalty.
Steven Gerrard’s side were beaten 3-1 by Palace on Saturday (20 August).
It is Villa’s second defeat in three games this season.
As shown on Sky Sports (20 August), Palace were awarded a penalty after Marc Guehi’s header hit Digne in the arm.
Andy Madley did not initially give the penalty.
After VAR instructed the referee to consult the pitch-side monitor, he changed his initial decision.
Wilfred Zaha’s initial attempt was saved by Emiliano Martinez but he managed to convert the rebound.
When asked if Digne would feel hard done by over the decision, Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “100 per cent it was not a penalty in a million years.
“Digne has just jumped for the ball. The rule for handball is ridiculous. I feel like if that was anywhere else on the pitch, no one’s blinking at a handball they’d just play on.
“Very unlucky for that penalty but they didn’t deserve anything out the game anyway.
“Zaha was left 1v1 on Matty Cash and he roasted him all game. No one got close to [Eberechi] Eze. I feel like Aston Villa were very poor and Steven Gerrard will know that. I still feel like Crystal Palace away is one of the tougher games in the Premier League season.“
In other news, a pundit has backed Aston Villa to agree Jan Bednarek deal after source’s update.