Keith Hackett delighted after Onana controversy in Aston Villa win at Everton
Keith Hackett has hailed referee Sam Barrott’s handling of the incident which could have seen Amadou Onana sent off for Aston Villa against Everton.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider it would have been “very harsh” to show the midfielder a second yellow card after bringing down Orel Mangala due to how the latter went to ground.
David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park began in underwhelming fashion against Villa on Wednesday (15 January), and did not end well either with Unai Emery’s side running out 1-0 winners.
The Toffees were also left frustrated that they did not have a man advantage over Aston Villa in the latter stages of that game, which could have made all the difference.
Amadou Onana escapes Aston Villa red on Everton return
Onana had already been booked with just eight minutes on the clock at Goodison Park, after bringing down Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The midfielder was then guilty of committing more fouls, and the Toffees were not happy when he was not sent off just moments after Ollie Watkins had put Aston Villa 1-0 up.
As Orel Mangala picked the ball up just inside his own half and looked to turn and launch an attack into the visitors’ half, the Everton midfielder went down after contact from Onana.
Referee Sam Barrott elected not to show a second yellow to the Villa midfielder, much to the frustrtation of the home side.
Indeed, other observers were also surprised to see that Aston Villa were not reduced to ten men as a result of the incident, although Hackett believes the right decision was reached.
Speaking to Football Insider about whether Onana should have been sent off, the former referee said:
“It would have been very harsh to give Onana a second yellow given how easy the player went to ground. Happy that the referee got this one right. VAR cannot come in on a potential yellow card even if it had led to a red.”
Following that win, Aston Villa are now seventh in the Premier League table, three points adrift of a top four spot.
Everton meanwhile remain 16th, just one point clear of the relegation zone as Moyes looks to keep the club in the top-flight.
In other news, Aston Villa have opened contract talks with Louie Barry amid transfer interest from Celtic.
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