27 April 2024 , 23:00
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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino labelled VAR as damaging to English football after his side saw Axel Disasi's 95th-minute winner ruled out at Villa Park.
The Blues had come back from a two-goal deficit after an own-goal from Marc Cucurella and Morgan Robert's strike saw Aston Villa end the first half with an advantage. Chelsea had enjoyed the more threatening moments overall however and were able to display more intensity in the second period.
Efforts from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher levelled the scores before Disasi's stoppage time header. While the Frenchman's effort was initially awarded, VAR judged Benoit Badiashile to have fouled Diego Carlos in the build-up.
Pochettino took issue with both the fact that VAR allowed another look and that a foul was then decided upon. The west London team's head coach could not understand what had transpired.
"Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed," he said. "Two different things, the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm. The referee is unbelievable and it's ridiculous.
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"It is difficult to accept, these type of things in the semi-final (FA Cup against Manchester City) two weeks ago it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee he didn't check it. It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn't understand why the goal was disallowed.
Chelsea were furious after their draw against Aston Villa (Getty Images)"They said it was foul and if you see the challenge what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn't finish the game with 11 (players). We can talk about the performance or the decision - it is damaging the game."
Blues captain Conor Gallagher was left similarly frustrated. The former Crystal Palace loanee believes his side can take confidence from the draw however. "We had chances to win and we showed great character," he said.
"The goal at the end should have counted, but it is not my decision. We can hold our heads high and take a lot of confidence from that. We are still on a journey to keep improving and nowhere near where we want to be as a club."
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