Morgan Rodgers saw Aston Villa’s late winner canceled out as Unai Emery’s side were held to a goalless draw by Juventus in the Champions League.
Emery, now on his longest spell without a win since taking over from Steven Gerrard in 2022, described the decision to rule out the goal as “strange” in his post-match press conference.
The Villa boss reacted to the chaos at the stadium as the referee appeared to allow the goal after finding the back of the net before changing his mind and blowing the whistle for a foul on Michele Di Gregorio after a lengthy stoppage.
“You know, and everyone knows, things are different in England. The commentary won’t be rubbish. It’s different in Europe,” Emery said when asked about the decision after the game.
“When we’re in the Premier League, it’s different, in Europe you have to accept that.
“At first I thought he gave the goal, when he changed, it was a bit strange, in such cases there is confusion.”
How Villa was left disappointed
Lucas Digne came closest to opening the scoring after his free-kick hit the post just before the break, Ollie Watkins also threatened but saw his shot denied by Di Gregorio in the Juventus goal.
The tension at Villa Park continued to grow as time went on, but so did the home side’s lack of dominance in the final third, a constant problem during this slump that now stretches to seven games.
Juventus posed little threat for most of the game, but when they did, Francisco Conceicao stepped in. Emiliano Martinez’s outstretched hand was the only thing to stop the No. 7 taking the lead just after the hour mark.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was disappointed on the pitch
Di Gregorio was called into action again to deny John McGinn from close range, but ultimately the hosts didn’t do enough in the final third and were almost held back.
Rodgers thought he had won the game in the dying minutes, but his celebrations were cut short by a foul after a lengthy stadium scramble, a decision that only added to the home crowd’s misery.
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Thoughts will now turn to how Emery and his coaching staff can address this worrying form, but to do so at the prospect of a Chelsea exit. Live on Sky Sportsthis weekend is terrible.
Watkins: The disallowance of Rodgers’ goal was mild
Villa were denied a win against Juventus
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins talking to TNT Sports:
“I thought it was soft.
“It was 0-0 all over, so we’d be lucky to win it. Referees don’t let things go like that in the Premier League. I have to be careful what I say, but it’s really out of our control.”
Emery: It can be rough in Europe
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery talking to TNT Sports:
“I’m very happy. We dominated the match. It’s the referee’s comment. In England, it’s not a very soft foul.
“But in Europe it can be a foul. We were closer to winning than them. We didn’t have a lot of chances to win against them.
“It was a tough match for both teams, but I’m happy with the overall picture in the Champions League. We still have a chance to be in the top eight.”
