Premier League issue statement as VAR steps in during Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Aston Villa's equaliser against Chelsea on Saturday evening was initially disallowed for offside, only for the Video Assistant Referee to intervene in favour of Unai Emery's side
by Tom Victor · The MirrorThe Premier League's Match Centre has issued a statement explaining why Aston Villa's equaliser against Chelsea was eventually given.
Villa forward Marco Asensio saw his celebrations cut short moments after turning in a Marcus Rashford cross, with the officials ruling that Rashford had strayed offside in the build-up. However, following a check, it was revealed that Enzo Fernandez - on the opposite side of the area - was playing rhe England international on.
"VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Aston Villa - and established that Rashford was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded," the VAR statement read. The goal, once allowed, ensured Asensio's effort cancelled out an early opener from Chelsea midfielder Fernandez.
It was one of a number of VAR interventions during a busy Saturday of Premier League football. Everton were denied a late penalty following an overturn, while other decisions included red card upgrades which damaged Arsenal and Bournemouth in their respective fixtures.
Villa came into the game off the back of a hard-earned point against Liverpool in midweek, but started sluggishly. Left-back Ian Maatsen couldn't deal with Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, and Fernandez was left all alone to tap home Neto's cross.
The hosts eventually grew into the game, though, and Rashford made a quick impact. The on-loan Manchester United man entered the fray at the start of the second half, replacing Jacob Ramsey, and needed just 10 minutes to lay on the leveller for Asensio before later setting up the Spaniard for a Villa winner.
Chelsea's injury woes had deepened early in the game, with Trevoh Chalobah not even lasting 10 minutes before making way for Tosin Adarabioyo. Villa suffered an injury blow of their own in the second period, though, with Tyrone Mings attempting to play on before leaving the field to be replaced by Lamare Bogarde.
What have you made of the VAR interventions this weekend? Have your say in the comments section
Villa boss Emery saw two of his winter signings combine for the leveller having spoken about the club's recruitment in his pre-match press conference. January arrivals Donyell Malen featured from the bench against Chelsea, though fellow new boy Axel Disasi was ineligible to feature against his parent club.
“Progressively, again, trying to build a team in our structure, to get stronger," Emery told reporters ahead of the game. “Tactically, in the beginning, try to feel everybody with their capacity, qualities, skills and as well with their individual motivation and wishes to be protagonists.
“Try to get collectively, tactically, our structure as strong as possible, defensively, offensively. This is the task I have, and of course the players as well, they are involved in this commitment to get it as soon as possible."
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