Angry Aston Villa manager Unai Emery launched a scathing critique of VAR official John Brooks following his side’s dramatic 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Emery was left incensed by a controversial first-half incident in which Morgan Rogers appeared to be pulled down by Elliot Anderson in the penalty area, only for referee Sam Barratt to dismiss the appeals and VAR Brooks to remain silent.
Villa looked to have overcome the controversy when Jhon Duran fired them ahead in the second half, moments after Emiliano Martinez pulled off a stunning save to keep the game level.
However, late goals from Nikola Milenković and Anthony Elanga—scoring in the third minute of added time—snatched victory for Forest in a thrilling encounter.
Speaking unprompted in his post-match press conference, Emery expressed his frustration over the missed penalty decision.
“Now I have watched it, it’s a clear penalty,” he said.
“It’s a massive mistake from the VAR. Today the VAR is a big mistake because it was clear, he (Rogers) had an advantage.
“Please. OK, not the referee. I respect the referee and I respect the VAR, but the VAR is there to help the referees.
“We watched it after because everybody is VAR. We are watching it on TV, it’s a clear penalty. Where is the VAR?”
This defeat highlights Villa’s struggles to balance domestic and European commitments, with Emery’s side failing to win in five of their six Premier League matches following midweek Champions League outings. However, Emery refused to use fatigue as an excuse.
“Champions League is different, it’s completely different, it’s another competition,” he added.
“Last year we played in the Conference League and we got fourth, it’s not an excuse.”
Meanwhile, Forest’s remarkable resurgence under Nuno Espirito Santo continued. Victory, following last week’s win at Manchester United, lifted them into the top four—a stark contrast to their final-day survival last season.
Nuno, however, played down talk of a top-four push, instead urging his side to stay grounded.
“We are competing against all the teams in the Premier League. It’s not about that, it’s about preparing the next one, focusing on the task ahead of you and realising that you didn’t achieve anything,” he said.
“Today is a big moment, let’s enjoy it together, all the fans, players. But we know that Brentford is going to be so tough, just look how many goals they have scored.
“We want to do it together, us and the fans. Today was very special.”
