Aston Villa goal should have been disallowed as controversial new footage analysed – ex-Fifa official
Douglas Luiz’s goal as Aston Villa beat Southampton 4-0 on Saturday (5 March) should have been disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Luiz’s close-range finish.
Aston Villa swung in a corner late on in the first half and Luiz blocked Saints keeper Fraser Forster from coming to collect the ball, as shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme.
Steven Gerrard’s side recycled the ball before Philippe Coutinho was found in space by a floating Calum Chambers pass.
Coutinho laid it off for Luiz who finished cooly past Forster who immediately began protesting to the referee.
“He’s clearly blocked him there and it should have been given as a foul,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Peter Bankes is clearly a competent referee I just think he needed a bit of help on that one with VAR.
“They’ve blocked him. They might think it was too early in the move for VAR to come in.
“It’s one of those decisions that take place in the match, the referee’s got no view, more often than not they don’t penalise.
“Goalkeepers might have to be a bit stronger in those situations. Forster is a strong guy and a good goalkeeper, that’s probably why he didn’t get it, he was looking for an excuse.”
Coutinho stole the show at Villa Park as the Midlands giants recorded back-to-back wins after a run of just one victory in nine games.
The Brazilian scored and provided an assist to take his tally of goal contributions to six in just seven games.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has saluted Aston Villa after a ‘fantastic’ £56million document reveal.