Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino criticized video technology, stating that it is “damaging” English football after Axel Disasi had a stoppage-time winner disallowed in their draw at Aston Villa.
Pochettino‘s team came from two goals down to draw and dent Villa’s top-four hopes, but Disasi’s goal was ruled out when referee Craig Pawson decided that Benoit Badiashile had committed a foul before the cross.
The decision led to Chelsea’s players protesting and surrounding Pawson at the full-time whistle, while Pochettino engaged in a passionate discussion with Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
“They didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee,” Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day.
“For me that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that’s it.
“For me it damaged a little bit the Premier League and English [football]. If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision.
“It damaged myself, damaged my team, my players, my fans.”
Aston Villa, whose top-four aspirations now rely on other results, took an early lead when John McGinn’s deflected effort found the net off Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea responded strongly, with Nicolas Jackson having a goal disallowed for offside by VAR and later hitting the post with a header.
Morgan Rogers doubled Villa’s lead with a composed finish from the left, but Chelsea pulled one back as Noni Madueke scored with a clever finish after pressing high up the pitch.
Chelsea equalized through Conor Gallagher, who curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Both teams had chances to win the game, with Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer missing opportunities for Villa, while Chelsea improved their performance in the second half after being criticized by Pochettino following their 5-0 loss to Arsenal.
Chelsea’s defensive issues continued, as they have now gone 14 away games without a clean sheet, but they showed character to come back from two goals down against a strong Villa side.