'Horrendous' - This is why Aston Villa felt hard done by after VAR confirmed controversial Brighton goal
There was a lengthy delay after Jan Paul van Hecke put the ball in the back of the Aston Villa net.
In what was one of the more scruffy Premier League goals you will see this season – the Dutch centre back wheeled away in celebration on the ninth minute, after Villa failed to deal with a corner.
Referee Andy Madley was immediately in communication with his video assistant, though, as Albion fans held their breath.
They were holding it for several minutes whilst VAR had a good look at a potential handball and then a foul.
Eventually, the goal was given – and the home fans could celebrate a perfect start to a big match between two teams in the top five.
It was ascertained that the ball went in off van Hecke's shoulder, rather than his arm.
It also deemed that Mats Wieffer did not foul the keeper Marco Bizot.
The visitors will, however, argue that the corner should never have been given in the first place. Matty Cash was adjudged to have put the ball out of play but Albion’s Maxim De Cuyper seemed to get the final touch.
YouTuber and Manchester United fan Mark Goldbridge was among those to raise concern.
He wrote on X: “Sorry that Brighton goal is horrendous. They know it shouldn't have been a corner and you can clearly see the keeper knocked of balance. It gets worse. Disgrace.”
Brighton didn’t mind though and they quickly doubled their lead through a Pau Torres own goal. The Spaniard could only deflect the ball into his own net after Jack Hinshelwood’s attempt at a cutback.
It had been a dream start to the game for the Seagulls, who were looking to extend their unbeaten home run to 11 matches. Their last home defeat was eight months ago – on April 2, against Wednesday’s opponents, Aston Villa (0-3).
A win would have moved Brighton up to third in the live Premier League table.
However, Ollie Watkins’ quick-fire brace completely changed the team talks in both dressing rooms – and Villa eventually won the match 4-3.