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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Elliott Jackson

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith joins players in fuming over controversial Manchester United penalty decision

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has criticised the decision to award Paul Pogba a penalty for Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes' spot-kick proved decisive on Friday night as United ran out 2-1 winners to move level with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Villa players felt aggrieved after VAR didn't overrule Michael Oliver's decision to penalise Luiz for bringing down Pogba shortly after they had equalised.

Dean Smith also voiced his displeasure at United's "dubious" penalty in his post-match press interviews.

"I felt it was a penalty at the time but going into the dressing room after and seeing it again it's very, very dubious," Smith said.

"It looks like (Pogba) trips himself over. There's very, very minimal contact and, if that's the case and there's that much doubt, then the ideas of VAR is to send the referee over (to the monitor) for him to have a look himself.

"I'm a little dumbfounded as to why he didn't have a look at it."

Villa players Douglas Luiz and Emiliano Martinez also took to social media to complain about the decision.

Luiz took to Twitter to rage against the decision, posting a slow-motion clip of the coming together with Pogba inside the box, and said: "I see this video, I can't believe it was a penalty, I always support fairer football, with fewer mistakes, but then I stop and see these types of moves.

"If we have VAR to help, LET'S start using it CORRECTLY, these mistakes can define the future of clubs!"

He added another close-up video afterwards, adding: "This is just to show more clearly !! @AVFCOfficial @premierleague."

Douglas' Villa teammate Martinez also tweeted his dissatisfaction and said "Highlight of the game" when referencing the following post which accompanied the clip of Pogba tripping over himself: Player fouled: Paul Pogba. Fouled by: Paul Pogba. Penalty to Man Utd."

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