John McGinn blasted by ex-refs chief as 'illegal' Aston Villa footage emerges

John McGinn can count his lucky stars that Brighton weren't awarded a second-half penalty in their thrashing of Aston Villa.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Scot should have been punished for a blatant shove at the Amex Stadium.

It was an incredibly difficult afternoon for Unai Emery's team on Sunday, 23 August, nearly ending in yet more frustration due to the 31-year-old.

The Seagulls took a 4-0 lead in the first half, thanks to a Victor Lindelof own goal, Maxim De Cuyper tap-in and a brace from Jack Hinshelwood.

Then, Joao Gomes' red card rubbed salt into the wounds, only for Scotland star McGinn to try his luck by barging into Ibrahim Osman in the 80th minute, showing no signs of trying to win the ball.

Footage of the incident has since gone viral on social media, sparking over questions over what referee Peter Bankes and VAR Matt Donohue were focused on.

John McGinn has 'illegally used his body'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett was left dumbfounded by the footage, struggling to agree with the decision against Osman.

"McGinn has used his hip in a sideways movement. It's a penalty, as far as I'm concerned, and I think he's gotten away with one," he said.

"Then again, if you look and say, 'Why hasn't VAR came in?' It's one where we can look at the video a couple or three times and say, 'That's a penalty kick'.

"It's easy in the chair for me to say it's a penalty kick on first view. I think out on the field of play, it's different.

"And I think what VAR has determined is that this is not a clear and obvious error by the referee. And if that's the case, then I'll support it.

"But when I look at the incident, McGinn has illegally used his body against an opponent. That's a foul, therefore, it's a penalty kick. He's fortunate."

Could Unai Emery walk away from Aston Villa?

There were already whispers of a potential exit for Emery, with Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, and possibly next, Ollie Watkins leaving.

Football Insider revealed last week that the manager has "serious" concerns over the current squad, as multiple big-name stars continue to leave.

The team really lacks experience, and that was proven in Villa's display against Brighton at the weekend. It remains to be seen what happens this season.

Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist have already tipped Emery for a dramatic exit, as the fallout continues from their explosion at the Amex Stadium.