Aston Villa dropped two valuable Premier League points as they were held 1-1 by lowly Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Unai Emery took a selection gamble for the contest at Villa Park on 15 February, and he saw his side go a goal down to Liam Delap’s 56th-minute goal.
That was only half the story, though, as Ipswich had earlier had Axel Tuanzebe dismissed for two needless yellow cards.
And it could have been a different contest entirely had Morgan Rogers not had a penalty appeal waved away early on.
Keith Hackett comments on Aston Villa v Ipswich Town controversy
Rogers argued he was either pushed by Jacob Greaves while charging into the box or caught by goalkeeper Alex Palmer—or indeed both.
The incident occurred a little over a minute into the match, very much putting referee Rob Jones on the spot.
Jones ultimately decided not to point to the spot much to the dismay of the Villa fans inside Villa Park.
However, former FIFA official Keith Hackett is in agreement that a penalty should not have been awarded.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Hackett said: “Referee Rob Jones has got the decision right – no penalty for me. The forward knows what he is doing.”
Aston Villa held 1-1 by Ipswich Town
Aston Villa were stunned by 10-man Ipswich when Delap put them ahead, but Ollie Watkins struck back with a close-range finish after Marcus Rashford’s free-kick hit the crossbar.
Emery would have considered this match a three-point banker—if there ever is such a thing in the Premier League – against relegation-threatened Ipswich, but his side toiled as they went in search of a winner.
In the end there was to be no winner, meaning the Villans had to settle for just a point at the start of what is a pretty grueling run of fixtures.
Villa were unhappy with the decision not to rearrange the upcoming Liverpool match, and that is very much where all focus now turns for Emery and his players.
This result is tough one to take, but it simply has to be put down as one of those days.
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