Aston Villa lose 1-0 at Forest after VAR penalty as Emery fumes over Anderson tackle
Opinion piece after Villa’s 1-0 first-leg defeat at Forest, urging Emery to drop a misfiring player, arguing his poor ball retention outdid even Digne’s error for the conceded penalty.
Wood’s penalty settles the first leg. Martinez shines with a stunning save; Digne struggles and concedes the spot-kick. Watkins’ volley stopped by Ortega. Tie alive heading to Villa Park.
Villa monitor PSG’s 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye to bolster attack amid interest in Morgan Rogers and likely exits for Leon Bailey and Jadon Sancho. Fee tricky under financial rules, with rival clubs keen.
Villa trail 1-0 after Wood’s 71st-minute penalty, awarded via VAR for a Digne handball. Martinez made a superb goal-line save, Watkins denied by Ortega. Second leg at Villa Park to come.
Emery rages after Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson escapes red for a tackle on Ollie Watkins in Villa’s 1-0 Europa League semi-final first-leg loss, saying VAR made a ‘huge mistake’.
Villa are eyeing Girona’s Azzedine Ounahi for around €25m to add creativity in midfield, with Atletico Madrid and Villarreal also interested.
Villa’s new 3,000-capacity venue The Warehouse may land a sponsorship, with Sports Illustrated signage spotted, offering a fresh revenue stream as the club navigate PSR pressures.
Opta makes Villa strong favourites at Villa Park, with a 61.5% win chance. Spurs battle relegation under Roberto De Zerbi, while Villa juggle top-five push after defeats to Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
Villa ready to sell Tommi O’Reilly for about £1m after 21 goal involvements on loan at Crewe. Oxford United, Portsmouth and Huddersfield show interest as Villa raise funds for Unai Emery’s squad.
