Ex-Premier League referee issues ‘100%’ claim as Ashley Young fumes at Aston Villa controversy
Newcastle United “100 per cent” deserved their penalty in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee heaped praise on Paul Tierney’s movement as he spotted Ashley Young’s handball in the first half.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Young was adjudged to have handled the ball when attempting to block a shot from Miguel Almiron.
Callum Wilson converted from the spot to open the scoring for Newcastle as they went on to dominate the second half.
Young told the BBC after the game, as quoted by Chronicle Live, that he was not sure how to defend anymore as he could have not defended the shot with his arm by his body.
“This is a definite handball,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s followed it if you look. For me, I don’t have any issue with that.
“I think it was a good piece of officiating. The work of Paul Tierney was excellent because what he did was go around to get a good viewing angle.
“Tierney’s got a brilliant view of it so it’s a good piece of officiating. Look how he runs around to get the view.
“100 per cent, this is a penalty.”
The defeat leaves Aston Villa 16th in the Premier League table.
Unai Emery is expected to begin his work at the club on Tuesday (1 November) with two more league games before the World Cup.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued a “£444million” reveal as Aston Villa are to back Unai Emery to the hilt.