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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith wants VAR to give refs a helping hand

Villa boss Dean Smith reckons the time has come to give match officials a helping hand and introduce VAR to the Championship.

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Smith was left counting the cost after Jay Rodriguez’s controversial late effort, which the striker converted with his hand, denied his Villa team victory in last week’s derby at Albion.

The use of video technology is set to be implemented in the Premier League from the start of next season but Smith believes that should be extended to the second tier.

Asked if he was a fan of VAR, Smith replied: “I certainly was at The Hawthorns!

“I think something has to come in. In all honesty, I felt sorry for the assistant because he’s made a mistake.

“Everybody in the footballing world who has watched that game knows he’s made a mistake.

“That’s human nature, but they can be rectified by having VAR and the right result following. There are certainly enough camera angles.”

Smith called on Villa’s players to put the Rodriguez incident to the back of their minds for today’s home clash with Stoke.

Villa’s home game with Sheffield United has been moved forward to Friday, February 8, after being selected for live TV coverage. Smith’s return to Brentford, on Wednesday February 13, has also been chosen.