Aston Villa expert has unexpected take on James Ward-Prowse controversy as footage re-analysed
Alan Hutton has insisted Southampton’s goal against Aston Villa was rightly disallowed.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa right-back claimed that if the incident happened anywhere else on the pitch, referee Michael Salisbury would have awarded a free kick.
As shown on Sky Sports (21 January), James Ward-Prowse thought he had given Southampton the lead after a deflected effort found the back of the net in the second half of the Premier League clash.
Salisbury allowed the goal to stand but VAR official Simon Hooper spotted an infringement in the build up and sent the referee to have another look at the incident.
The onfield official deemed Mohamed Elyounoussi made contract with Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey just before the goal and the goal was disallowed.
The Villans went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a header from Ollie Watkins.
As quoted by Football Daily after the game, Saints boss Nathan Jones claimed the decision was “soft” and criticised the performance of the referee throughout the match.
When asked for his assessment of the disallowed goal, Hutton told Football Insider: “I am obviously going to swing with Aston Villa but I think it was a foul.
“If that is anywhere else on the pitch I think you give a free kick.
“He has stood on his ankle, is it enough to make him go over? Only he will know but I do believe it is a foul. Some people maybe say they got away with one. I still believe that was a foul.“
In other news, an expert has issued ‘terrible’ Lucas Digne claim as Aston Villa ‘video footage’ analysed.