Dean Smith claims Man United should NOT have passed his Aston Villa side’s winning penalty

Dean Smith claims Manchester United’s penalty against his Aston Villa side should not have been awarded in the Midlands club’s 2-1 loss at Old Trafford.

Villa drew 1-1 after Bertrand Traore’s goal at the beginning of the second half canceled Anthony Martial’s opener when Paul Pogba went down in the area under the challenge of midfielder Douglas Luiz.

Michael Oliver missed a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted in United’s win and while Smith thought it was a real-time penalty – the Villa boss believes Pogba stumbled after a replay.

Dean Smith (left) claims Man United’s crucial penalty against Aston Villa should not have passed

Paul Pogba (center) went under in the second half under the challenge of Douglas Luiz (right)

Smith told Sky Sports, “I thought it was a penalty at the time, but I looked at it after the game and found he tripped himself. I don’t understand why Michael (Oliver) couldn’t have seen it.

“That’s what VAR is for, isn’t it? He stumbled. There are margins in football. I’ve seen it again and don’t think it’s a punishment. ‘

The villa manager then told the BBC, “I thought Douglas Luiz got too close with Paul Pogba but then I just went in and saw it again and I think he just stumbled. I think there is enough doubt to put the referee on screen. ‘

Villa fell back at halftime when Martial headed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross, but Burkina Faso winger Traore scored a close-range goal in the second half to reach Smith’s Villa level.

Support authors and subscribe to content

This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.

Login if you have purchased

Subscribe

Gain access to all our Premium contents.
More than 100+ articles.

Subscribe Now

Buy Article

Unlock this article and gain permanent access to read it.

Unlock Now