Pundit hits back at Ashley Young as controversial Aston Villa footage analysed
Noel Whelan has suggested Ashley Young must adapt to the handball rules after the Aston Villa ace hit out at officials.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the “rule has been in place for two seasons now” and the 37-year-old must “take it into consideration”.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day (29 October), Young was penalised for handball after attempting to block a shot from Miguel Almiron.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson stepped up to dispatch the resulting spot-kick to land the first blow in an eventual 4-0 defeat for Aston Villa on Saturday.
As quoted by Chronicle Live post-match (via the BBC), Young said he was “not sure how to defend anymore” – feeling he couldn’t prevent his arm from blocking the shot.
Aston Villa slipped to within one point of the relegation zone with the loss, ahead of Unai Emery’s first game as manager against Man United on Sunday (6 November).
Whelan suggested the controversy did not detract from the fact that Villa “just weren’t good enough on the day”.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think the decision was fair.
“That’s what has been given throughout all of this season.
“It is probably not in a player’s mind to tuck the hands in. It’s very difficult to get it right, but it’s the letter of the law.
“It’s hard for defenders now when you’re going in for a block like that. I understand where he’s coming from, but this rule has been in place for two seasons now.
“He’s just got to take it into consideration.
“The fact of the matter is that they just weren’t good enough on the day and Newcastle punished them.”
In other news, pundit claims Aston Villa are set to back Unai Emery with ‘hundreds of millions’ after source’s reveal.