Premier League forced to release three VAR statements in Aston Villa vs Bournemouth referee drama

The Premier League says it overturned John McGinn’s would-be first half goal for Aston Villa against Bournemouth based on “factual evidence” - and also explained why two penalty appeals were dismissed.

The hosts thought they had gone ahead on 27 minutes when Ollie Watkins appeared to have stopped the ball from going out of play before playing it to McGinn, who curled home. The goal was awarded on the field but VAR told referee Chris Kavanagh that a check on the goal was required.

Replays showed that the whole of the ball had in fact crossed the line before Watkins flicked it back into play, and so the strike was ruled out. The Premier League subsequently released a statement explaining the reason behind VAR’s decision.

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Sharing a still image of when the ball went out of play, a statement via the Premier League Match Centre X account said: “The referee’s call of goal for Aston Villa was checked by the VAR. As there was factual evidence that the ball was out of play in the build-up to the goal, the VAR recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Villa did eventually take the lead with 14 minutes to go, Ross Barkley grabbing his first goal since returning back to the club for a second stint. Leon Bailey recorded his second assist of the campaign.

And three minutes later, VAR got involved in the non-awarding of a penalty for Bournemouth after Antoine Semenyo was judged to have dived in the box. VAR checked the incident and concurred with on-field official Kavanagh.

Another Premier League statement explained: "The referee’s call of no penalty for simulation by Semenyo was checked and confirmed by the VAR."

Five minutes from time, Bournemouth appealed for another penalty for handball against Bailey but saw protests waved away. Once again, VAR sided with the officials at Villa Park.

"The referee’s call of no penalty for the potential handball by Bailey was checked and confirmed by the VAR - deeming that his arm was in a justifiable position," a third statement on the Premier League Match Centre's X account read.

Bournemouth snatched a point at the death when Evanilson found the net six minutes into added time. A total of 13 yellow cards were handed out to players during the game.

What do you think of the three decisions? Let us know here

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