Pochettino Slams VAR as Chelsea’s Late Winner is Disallowed in Dramatic Draw with Villa

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, was left frustrated and disappointed after a late goal was disallowed in their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Despite coming back from a two-goal deficit, Chelsea’s late winner was ruled out due to a foul called on Benoit Badiashile, leaving Pochettino to question the use of VAR in the Premier League.

Pochettino argued that the challenge was a normal one and that the referee’s initial decision should have stood. He also expressed concern that VAR is prioritizing correctness over the spectacle of the game, damaging the Premier League in the process.

The draw was a setback for Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, as they remain seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham. Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, acknowledged that Chelsea posed a strong challenge and that the draw was a good result in the end.

Despite a difficult season, Pochettino reportedly retains the backing of Chelsea’s squad, which has been assembled at a cost of over £1 billion. The team showed resilience in coming back from a two-goal deficit, and Pochettino praised their efforts.

The match was marked by a vibrant start from Villa, who took the lead through an early own goal and a strike from Morgan Rogers. Chelsea equalized through goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher, but the late disallowed goal meant that the match ended in a draw.

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