Aston Villa were left fuming after Morgan Rogers’ goal was controversially disallowed in their recent Premier League clash, and the backlash has only intensified after former Premier League referee Keith Hackett weighed in with his candid opinion on the incident.
The flashpoint came during the high-stakes match when Rogers appeared to slot home a crucial goal that could have changed the momentum of the game. Celebrations were underway, but they were swiftly cut short as the referee signaled for a VAR review. Moments later, the goal was chalked off, with the decision drawing immediate ire from players, fans, and the Villa coaching staff.
The controversy centered around what officials deemed to be an infringement in the build-up to the goal. Initial replays were inconclusive, but it was later confirmed that a marginal offside call and potential foul were behind the decision. Villa manager Unai Emery could be seen visibly agitated on the sidelines, and post-match, he did not mince his words, describing the call as “hugely disappointing” and “not in the spirit of fair play.”
Supporters quickly took to social media, voicing their anger at what many saw as a harsh and inconsistent application of VAR. The hashtag #JusticeForVilla began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with fans and pundits alike questioning the integrity of the decision-making process.
Adding further fuel to the fire, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has now spoken out on the incident, offering his unfiltered perspective. Known for his no-nonsense approach and strong opinions, Hackett did not hold back in his assessment.
Speaking to a football media outlet, Hackett said, “This is exactly the kind of decision that erodes trust in officiating. When you have a goal like that disallowed, it must be based on clear and obvious evidence. From what I saw, there was no such clarity. The offside was marginal at best, and the supposed foul was highly debatable. In my opinion, the goal should have stood.”
Hackett went on to criticize the current implementation of VAR, calling it “too clinical and out of touch with the spirit of the game.” He noted that VAR was introduced to correct clear mistakes, not to re-referee games frame by frame. “If we continue down this path, we risk stripping the game of its emotion and spontaneity,” he added.
The former ref also sympathized with Villa’s outrage, saying, “I understand the anger from Villa’s camp. They feel robbed, and understandably so. It’s not just about one goal – it’s about the larger issue of consistency and fairness. The Premier League needs to have a serious discussion about how VAR is being used.”
This isn’t the first time Aston Villa have been at the center of VAR drama. Fans still recall other controversial decisions in recent seasons that have gone against them. The cumulative effect is a growing sense of injustice that is starting to boil over. Club officials have reportedly submitted a formal complaint to the Premier League, demanding clarity on the process and accountability for the decision.
As the fallout continues, questions are being raised not only about the specific incident but about the broader state of refereeing in the English top flight. Former players and analysts have also chimed in, with many echoing Hackett’s concerns. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher remarked during post-match analysis, “If that’s the standard we’re setting, then we’re in trouble. Fans won’t accept this kind of inconsistency.”
Meanwhile, calls for reform are growing louder. Suggestions include giving referees more on-pitch authority, increasing transparency in VAR reviews by broadcasting conversations, and simplifying the rules around offside and fouls to make decisions more understandable.
Villa, for their part, have vowed to move on but insist lessons must be learned. In a club statement, they said: “While we accept the authority of match officials, we strongly believe this decision requires further scrutiny. We owe it to our players, staff, and supporters to seek clarity and advocate for improvement.”
Whether the Premier League will respond meaningfully remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – the disallowed goal has reignited a fierce debate over the role of technology in football. And with respected voices like Keith Hackett now publicly voicing concern, the pressure on football’s governing bodies is mounting. For Villa fans, the frustration lingers – and the demand for accountabilit
y is only growing louder.
