Villa chief decries United’s last‑minute equaliser amid VAR debate
Aston Villa director of football Damian Vidagany has publicly questioned why Patrick Dorgu’s last‑minute equaliser was allowed, a decision that secured a 4‑4 draw for Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. The goal came in second‑half stoppage time and denied Villa a win after they had led early.
Controversial stoppage‑time equaliser
Patrick Dorgu’s goal helped Manchester United avoid a fifth league defeat this season. The Red Devils defender headed Bruno Fernandes’ corner into a vacant net after Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki failed to swat the ball away.
Replays suggested Suzuki was impeded by United defender Senne Lammens, who had been sent forward for the set‑piece. Lammens did not watch the ball as the corner floated in and backed into Suzuki, preventing the Japanese gloveman from making clean contact.
reports VAR reviewed the goal for interference but found no grounds for an intervention. Vidagany admitted Villa must do better than how they finished the contest while wondering why the goal stood.
Vidagany wrote on X that referees had warned against deliberately unbalancing or pushing the goalkeeper in the six‑yard box this season, yet Lammens made contact with Suzuki’s hip. Villa boss Unai Emery, who headed down the tunnel immediately after Dorgu’s late dagger, also said United players were pushing and disturbing Suzuki on the corner, something not permitted in other countries.
Senne Lammens faces media storm at Manchester United
Villa’s early dominance and late collapse
Alysson and Nicolas Jackson gave Villa a dream start within the opening four minutes, putting them 2‑0 up. The two‑goal cushion was later erased after a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a goal from Youri Tielemans, who joined United from Villa in the summer.
John McGinn and Leon Goretzka restored Villa’s advantage shortly after the break. Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu then secured the dramatic point in second‑half stoppage time.
The draw extended Villa’s poor record at Old Trafford, having won only once there since December 2009. United have won only once in ten league fixtures this season.
Villa remain unbeaten in their last six league games and sit 10th in the table. United go into the November international break in the relegation zone with eight points, one behind 17th‑placed Coventry City. The match photograph was supplied by Getty.