Smith incensed at Pogba’s penalty decision

By
Sammy Wejinya
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Aston Villa's English head coach Dean Smith gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 1, 2020. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Aston Villa’s English head coach Dean Smith gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 1, 2020. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /


Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says it was wrong to award Manchester United a penalty in his side’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
Villa were drawing 1-1 after Bertrand Traore’s goal early in the second-half cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener when Paul Pogba went down in the area under a challenge by midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Michael Oliver awarded a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted but Smith said replays have restated his belief that Pogba tripped himself in the Villa box.
“I thought it was a penalty at the time, but I looked at it after the game and saw he tripped himself,” Smith told Sky Sports. “I don’t see why Michael (Oliver) couldn’t have looked at it.
“That’s what VAR is for isn’t it? He’s tripped himself up. There’s margins in football. I’ve seen it again, and I don’t think it’s a penalty.”
The Villa manager then told the BBC: “I thought Douglas Luiz got too tight with Paul Pogba but then I’ve just gone in and seen it back and I think he’s just tripped himself up. I think there’s enough doubt there to send the referee over to the screen.”

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