Emery Slams Anderson Tackle On Watkins After 1-0 Forest Win

Unai Emery said the anderson tackle on watkins should have brought VAR into the match, and he called the non-intervention a “huge mistake” after Aston Villa’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Emery said Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle.

City Ground Flashpoint

Elliot Anderson caught Watkins on the ankle in the first half at the City Ground before claiming the ball, and referee João Pinheiro waved play on. Tiago Martins was the video assistant referee, but the incident did not lead to a review on the field.

Emery did not soften his view afterward. “It is a huge mistake, a huge mistake, because Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle,” he said. “It is the VAR’s responsibility and he must give us an explanation about it because it’s crazy watching this action.”

Forest Take The Lead

Forest’s win came through Chris Wood’s 71st-minute penalty after a VAR review ruled the ball was in play when Lucas Digne handled Omari Hutchinson’s cross inside the box. That put Nottingham Forest 1-0 up in the Europa League first leg and gave them the only goal of the night.

Emery said he understood mistakes can happen in football, but added: “I’m working for 20 years as a coach and sometimes they make mistakes, [there are] always tight decisions, without VAR it was more difficult … I am 100% with VAR but we must manage VAR good and in the right way.” He also reacted bluntly to the tackle itself: “One action like that doesn’t make sense. It is so, so clear. Where is the doubt? The risk is to the players. Where is VAR?”

Villa Park Return

Forest manager Vítor Pereira said his side would head to Villa Park next Thursday with the tie still open. “We are at half-time,” he said, adding, “We know that when we play again we will face another tough game.”

Pereira also set out Forest’s approach for the second leg: “One thing I am sure: we will go there to compete again, not to defend but to win the game.” Forest have already dealt with four managers in a season, and Pereira said of his squad: “This is the spirit of this team, a special team and it is a privilege to be the manager because they have the character, personality and quality.”