Ezri Konsa deserved sanction as controversial Bournemouth vs Aston Villa footage re-analysed
Ezri Konsa was fortunate not to be cautioned amid a huge penalty controversy during Aston Villa’s draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Anthony Taylor had a tough decision to make on his hands on Saturday, 7 February.
Rayan announced himself to the Premier League, turning Lucas Digne inside-out, while cancelling out Morgan Rogers‘ opening goal, and the points being shared come the full-time whistle.
Villa remain in the Premier League title race, but after falling nine points behind league leaders Arsenal, the pressure is on Unai Emery to get his team firing again.
Bournemouth robbed of dangerous moment vs Aston Villa
There were plenty of chances for both teams, and with Alex Scott being bundled over right on the edge of the penalty area, the Cherries will feel aggrieved that they were not given the opportunity to strike.
A VAR check confirmed that Scott was not yet inside the penalty area when being taken down by Konsa, but given that Taylor had not awarded anything, the dangerous free-kick could not be given either.
That is seen as a huge pitfall when it comes to the rules of VAR, and when the technology can be used, and Andoni Iraola will surely feel the same way after this incident was waved away.
While it is not completely clear whether Konsa’s challenge was made inside the penalty area, Hackett believes that a clear foul has been missed, and potentially a yellow card for the Villa captain.
Ezri Konsa may have escaped punishment from Anthony Taylor
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Anthony Taylor’s in a good position, but I see that as a careless challenge, which means it’s a foul.
“There’s an element of doubt over whether or not it’s a penalty. So, I would prefer in this situation for the referee to be allowed to go to the monitor.
“VAR say it’s not clear and obvious, but I can make the case that it’s a foul, and I can also make a case that it’s inside the area, and therefore, a penalty.
“At the minimum, it should be a free-kick. He could also yellow card the defender for unsporting behaviour, and the IFAB admit that this is a problem.”