A second-half penalty ended Aston Villa’s five-match unbeaten run following a New Year’s Day defeat at Old Trafford.
Dean Smith claims Paul Pogba ‘tripped himself up’ in the build-up to Manchester United’s match-winning penalty against Aston Villa.
A Douglas Luiz challenge inside the box caused the Frenchman to go to the ground, forcing referee Michael Oliver to award United a penalty just past the hour-mark. Bruno Fernandes then stepped up to slam home his fifth spot-kick of the league campaign.
Player fouled: Paul Pogba
Fouled by: Paul PogbaPenalty to Man Utd pic.twitter.com/xacUFfh0LA
— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) January 1, 2021
Upon reviewing the incident, however, an angered Smith claimed Oliver should have consulted the video assistant referee before making a decision.
“They got what l believed was a penalty at the time – I thought Douglas Luiz got too tight – but having seen it back, it looks like he trips himself up,” the Villa boss told Sky Sports.
“For me, Michael Oliver should be sent over to the monitor. That’s what VAR is for. If there’s doubt, get yourself over there.
“At the time l had no doubts it was a penalty. But Pogba has tripped himself up there. Seeing it again, I don’t think it is a penalty.”
The 2-1 defeat in Manchester means Villa have slipped down to sixth place in the league standings, based on an inferior goal count to Chelsea.
Smith’s men will next welcome Liverpool to Villa Park on January 8 for an FA Cup clash.
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