Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham’s goal was ruled out by VAR after the ball was deemed out of play in the build-up, but was there conclusive evidence?
Abraham thought he had sealed his return to Villa after scoring the equalizer in Unai Emery’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford.
However, a lengthy VAR process ensued and it was ultimately determined that Leon Bailey had brought the ball out of play 19 seconds before the goal was scored.
Referee Tim Robinson said the ball was “effectively out of play”, but was there conclusive footage to confirm the ball had completely crossed the line?
Aston Villa appeared to have the ball go out of play during the build-up and were denied a goal by VAR.
Coach Emery said after the game, “I think it’s unfair.” “I didn’t see the referee.
“There are probably a lot of actions and situations that could change the goal. I completely accept that. It’s not fair to me, but I accept it.”
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights of Aston Villa vs Brentford
The evidence given by Jamie Carragher on the broadcast was conclusive and proved that the ball went out of play. “Out of play, no doubt about that,” he said on Super Sunday.
But former Villa man Ashley Young disagreed, arguing that given the lack of clear evidence, the attackers should have been given the benefit.
He added: “I guess you can say it’s gone, but are they saying you can see it? No, you can’t see it.
“That should be an advantage for the forwards.”
Was Villa denied a goal by an optical illusion?
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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher dissect the controversy in Newcastle vs Arsenal in 2023 after Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed to stand by by VAR despite complaints that the ball was out of play, a foul on Gabriel and offside.
Following a similar incident with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon scoring against Arsenal in 2023/24, Gary Neville detailed how the ball can appear to be out but actually stay in play.
Neville placed the ball close to the touchline and demonstrated how at some angles the ball appeared to be touching the line and at other angles it appeared to be out of play. This is used by VAR.
“The ball is in. The edge of the ball is touching the edge of the white line.”
Camera angle from above of the ball in play
Camera showing the same ball from a different angle that appears to be out of play
“If you look at it from here, you would think it’s not a debate. When you cut into the different angles that VAR had to look at (things change).”
“We’re not saying the ball went in or the ball went out, we’re saying VAR can’t make a decision that overturns the decision on the field.
“There’s an ambiguity. It’s an optical illusion.”
