Unai Emery demanded answers from UEFA after Elliot Anderson escaped a red card for a challenge that was ‘close to breaking Ollie Watkins’ ankle’.
Forest will take a 1-0 lead to Villa Park for next week’s second leg, with the winner progressing to next month’s Europa League Final in Istanbul.
Yet Emery was raging at the lack of intervention from the men on VAR duty, Tiago Martins and Andre Narciso, after Anderson’s studs-up tackle on Watkins midway through the first half.
VAR did intervene in the second half when Omari Hutchinson’s cross struck Lucas Digne’s hand, allowing Chris Wood to score the only goal from the penalty spot late in the second half.
‘It’s a huge mistake because Watkins was close to breaking his ankle,’ said Emery. ‘It is the responsibility of the VAR. I don’t understand it and he must give us an explanation because it’s crazy. VAR, where are you?
‘Of course the on-field referee didn’t see it but an action like that can break his ankle and it is so clear. I am 100 per cent in favour of VAR but we must manage it in the right way. VAR makes sense if it is fair.’
Elliot Anderson escaped punishment for a tackle on Ollie Watkins in the first half
Villa director of football Damian Vidagany added on X: ‘If VAR came to help football and bring justice…. If VAR called the referee for the penalty why they didn’t check at least the red card for Anderson?. Huge mistake of VAR referee tonight, it did not help the field ref. I am sure UEFA refereeing people would be agree [sic] with us in this unfair situation.’
Before tackling the second leg, Forest travel to Chelsea on Monday as they try to secure Premier League survival. A day earlier, Villa host Tottenham, where a win will push them even closer to qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira said: ‘For me it’s an honour to manage this club, to try to help these players, to see the smiles on the faces of these supporters. To be part of the Nottingham family with a manager in the memory of everyone [Brian Clough]. I am very proud of my players.’
Asked about Anderson’s tackle, Pereira added: ‘It was five metres in front of me, my perception was he touched the ball but I did not review the play. I cannot speak about it.’
