Clinton Morrison outrage at Aston Villa v PSG McGinn incident – ‘You can’t do that’
Clinton Morrison was quick to condemn a controversial moment as Aston Villa were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
Unai Emery baffled before a ball had even been kicked, with Marcus Rashford starting up front over Ollie Watkins, and it was not long before his decisions backfired at Villa Park on Tuesday, 15 April.
Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, with Nuno Mendes doubling the away side’s lead in the tie and making it 5-1 on aggregate, leaving the Villans with a mountain to climb.
Youri Tielemans grabbed one back, thanks to a massive deflection, with John McGinn and Ezri Konsa pulling the side back within one, and Achraf Hakimi being sent off might have been a key moment in the first half.
However, after a quick VAR review, no card was produced for the goal-hungry right-back, who appeared to kick out at McGinn after the Scot brought him down in the box.
While Morrison agreed with the eventual decision, he admitted that the PSG player should not be able to lash out like that, where any contact would mean a definite sending off.
Achraf Hakimi risks red card after fiery clash with John McGinn
Speaking live on Sky Sports News (15 April, 8:37pm), Morrison said: “There’s a bit of a swinging leg from Hakimi, and the referee has a decision to make. VAR are having a look.
“Hakimi swings a leg out, and John McGinn isn’t happy about it. I don’t think VAR will get involved. I’m watching it again – you can’t do that. He can’t do that. If he connects with it…
“But he doesn’t connect with him, so he’s lucky. If John McGinn catches a boot in the face… Any other player in that situation would try to get him sent off. It’s the correct decision, though.”
Unai Emery disappointed after Champions League knockout at Villa Park
Football Insider verdict
A red card certainly would have played a vital part in the game at Villa Park, but after two early goals from PSG, it was just too much for the Villans to overcome in the second half.
McGinn and Rashford were at the centre of a stirring second-half fight-back but it proved to be too late in the day for Emery’s side.
There is no shame in losing to a team which might be able to win the Ligue 1 title without losing a game all season, but the manager will likely be disappointed by his team’s first-half performance.
| Aston Villa (1st half) | PSG (1st half) |
| 33% possession | 67% possession |
| 5 shots (2 on target) | 3 shots (3 on target) |
| 1 big chances missed | 1 big chance missed |
| 2 offsides | 3 offsides |
| 3 corners | 0 corners |
Emery, who has been linked with the Man United job, will now turn his attentions to claiming a top-five spot in the Champions League and lifting the FA Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium.
It is still possible for the Villans to end the campaign on a high, but after losing out to PSG in such disappointing circumstances, the squad will wish they could have another chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
Sadly, they will have to wait until next season and hope Champions League qualification has been claimed via the Premier League this season.