Expert issues emphatic Aston Villa verdict after Philippe Coutinho controversy analysed
Paul Robinson has claimed poured cold water on the idea of Aston Villa being wrong by the officials against Man City on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England number one claimed Man City goalkeeper Ederson would have saved Philippe Coutinho’s shot if the whistle had not have been blown.
Coutinho scored moments after played was halted for offside at Villa Park.
As pictured by ESPN (3 September), the attacking midfielder was in fact in an onside position and the linesman was wrong to flag.
Speaking to Sky Sports (3 September), Villa manager Steven Gerrard bemoaned the officials decision for preventing what he described as “a legitimate goal.”
The game finished all square at Villa Park after goals from Erling Haaland and Leon Bailey.
When asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on the incident on Saturday, Robinson said: “Ederson did not leave the ground.
“I watched it closely. Once the whistle blows, all of the Man City players stop.
“The goalkeeper has seen the flag out of the corner of his eye and the referee is right by Coutinho. Ederson hears the whistle and sees thee whistle. Ederson did not dive. He just put his arm up as a token gesture.
“There was a long time between the whistle and the shot going in. Coutinho could have been closed down and I also think Ederson would have saved it.”
In other news, a source has revealed that Aston Villa have a ‘strong interest’ in Graham Potter with Mauricio Pochettino also on their radar.