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Aston Villa’s Premier League title problem hit a roadblock as Alex Moreno’s strike was controversially disallowed by VAR in Sunday’s 0-0 draw in opposition to Everton.
Unai Emery’s aspect would have moved stage on factors with leaders Liverpool if they’d received at freezing Goodison Park.
However the choice to rule out Moreno’s effort for offside compelled Villa to accept a degree that leaves them in third place.
The offside name means Villa have just one win from their final 4 league video games as their surprising title bid falters.
They’re two factors behind Liverpool, having performed a recreation extra, and sit beneath second-placed Manchester Metropolis on objective distinction.
“VAR is essential for the referees. I strive by no means to be pissed off if VAR is just not giving us the objective or one thing as a result of we’ve to respect and must be adapting of it,” Emery mentioned.
Emery was named Premier League supervisor of the month for December, however the Spaniard will hope Moreno’s disallowed objective is not an indication he’ll undergo from the long-standing ‘curse’ that afflicts winners of the award.
Everton stay precariously poised only one place above the relegation zone after their winless run within the league prolonged to 4 video games.
Everton’s 10-point deduction earlier this season for monetary breaches has stored them mired within the relegation battle.
Crushed of their earlier three matches, Sean Dyche’s group are one level away from third-bottom Luton.
“It is a work in progress. We deal with the realities. Our defending was wonderful. Second half they’d quite a lot of the ball with out actually opening us up,” Dyche mentioned.
With 14 targets and eight assists, Ollie Watkins had been concerned in 22 of Villa’s 43 top-flight targets.
Watkins threatened so as to add to that spectacular tally when he took Moussa Diaby’s move and compelled a save from Jordan Pickford.
Villa thought they’d taken the lead by means of Moreno’s blast from the sting of the realm after a brief nook, however the objective was dominated out for a decent offside in opposition to Leon Bailey.
The choice solely got here after a four-minute VAR examine, leaving Villa fuming on the perceived injustice.
Fuelled by that grievance, Villa went near taking the lead twice in fast succession.
Watkins rolled his shot inches vast, then Pickford made a advantageous save from Bailey after John McGinn’s dummy opened up the Everton defence.
Everton almost stole the lead as Emiliano Martinez rushed off his line to save lots of from Dominic Calvert-Lewin because the Toffees striker fatally hesitated earlier than pulling the set off.
James Garner’s low strike compelled one other good cease from Martinez within the closing moments of the half.
McGinn drilled inches vast halfway by means of a scrappy second half excessive on perspiration however low on inspiration.
Possibilities have been at a premium and, once they did come, Everton’s Arnaut Danjuma wastefully miscued earlier than Villa’s Jhon Duran had a header saved by Pickford.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure charged clear to fireplace dwelling within the closing minutes, solely to see his effort appropriately disallowed for offside.
