Unai Emery has won five Europa League titles with Spanish clubs – but none with an English one
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery delivered a scathing critique of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) following his side’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg against Nottingham Forest. Emery argued that Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson should have been dismissed for a challenge during the Europa League semi-final match.
The incident in question involved a sliding tackle by Anderson in the first half, where he won the ball but subsequently made contact with Ollie Watkins’ ankle with a studs-up challenge.
Referee Joao Pinheiro did not initially penalize Anderson, and a subsequent VAR review appeared brief, resulting in no further action.
Nottingham Forest ultimately secured a victory with a VAR-awarded penalty converted by Chris Wood, a decision Emery stated he accepted.
“Fantastic, the referee, fantastic,” Emery remarked to TNT Sports, before adding, “But the VAR is so, so bad. It’s a clear red card – I don’t understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear.”
“And it’s very, very important. It’s a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible.”
Emery continued, praising the on-field official: “The referee – fantastic, fantastic job, 10 out of 10. I appreciated how he managed the match for 90 minutes.”
However, he reiterated his frustration with the VAR decision: “But I watched it back – wow. Huge. He could break his ankle. Wow, VAR – where are you? Please. It is your responsibility, we are professionals. You are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody [to see]. He could break his ankle.”
“I respect the referees always but VAR, I don’t understand. It’s not fair.”
Emery’s discontent with the decision was evident both in his immediate post-match television interview and during the subsequent press conference.
Regarding the penalty decision, he added: “The penalty I didn’t watch – everyone is telling me it’s a penalty.”
The penalty was awarded after Lucas Digne was deemed to have handled Omari Hutchinson’s cross, which Wood then converted. Replays confirmed that Hutchinson had kept the ball in play before crossing.
However, it was the Anderson challenge that remained the focal point of Emery’s criticism.
“I watched the action of Anderson on Watkins, and the referee did a fantastic job,” Emery conceded.
“I was so, so feeling comfortable with how he managed the game in 90 minutes, but after watching it again, it is the VAR responsibility.”
“It is a huge mistake – a huge mistake. Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle. The VAR has a huge responsibility and he must give us an explanation. It is crazy!”
“The ref can’t watch it like me. One action like that can break his ankle. The VAR makes sense if they are fair. What is your opinion? Wow.”
“In football I work 20 years as a coach. Sometimes decisions are tight. I am 100% with VAR, but we must manage it good and in the right way. One action like that, there is no doubt. Where is VAR?”
In October 2023, Emery had stated: “I’m always positive with VAR. I think it is good for football. I think it helps the referee always.”
And in December 2024, following Jhon Duran’s dismissal against Newcastle United, he commented: “Always I am supporting VAR, but you have to use VAR.”
“Today the red card was clear for the referee straight away. He was the only person in the stadium who couldn’t take his time.”
Latest Aston Villa news, analysis and fan views
Ask about Aston Villa – what do you want to know?