Dean Smith: Dubious penalty cost Aston Villa
Dean Smith felt Villa fell victim to a “very dubious” penalty decision in last night’s defeat at Manchester United.
Bruno Fernandes’ 61st minute spot-kick earned United a 2-1 win but Smith was unhappy as Paul Pogba appeared to trip over his own leg while being challenged by Douglas Luiz.
The Villa boss felt referee Michael Oliver should have been asked to review his decision on the pitchside monitor.
Smith said: “From where I was standing it looked a penalty. It looked like Douglas had got too tight and pulled him down. I can see why the referee gave it.
“But having gone into the dressing room and seeing it again it is very, very dubious.
“It looks to me like he (Pogba) trips himself over. There was minimal contact. If there is that much doubt the VAR should send the referee over to have a look.
“I am a little bit dumbfounded why he wasn’t sent over to have a look.”
Bertrand Traore had levelled for Villa after Anthony Martial opened the scoring for United in the first-half.
Smith added: “I was very disappointed with our performance in the first-half. I don’t think we were anywhere near the levels we have been.
“The first 10 minutes almost had a testimonial feel. They upped it and went in a goal to the good.
“I spoke to our players at half-time about the levels we needed to be at and we were a lot better in the second period. We got a good goal, created some good opportunities as well but unfortunately lost to a dubious penalty.”
