Aston Villa denied late winner against Juventus

Emiliano Martinez produced a wonder save and Aston Villa were controversially denied a last-gasp winner in a 0-0 Champions League draw with Juventus on Wednesday.

Chances were at a premium in Birmingham but the home side had Argentina international Martinez to thank for keeping the scores level.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s team another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home.

But the goal was ruled out after it was deemed that Diego Carlos had fouled Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.

Emery said he was “very happy” with the point despite the late ruling by the officials, describing the contact as “soft”.

“The last action is clear, it is the interpretation of the referee,” the Spaniard told TNT Sports. “Only the interpretation. We know here in England, 80 percent is not fault (foul) and maybe in Europe it is a fault.”

Villa raced out of the blocks in Europe this season, winning their first three matches, but they have now gone seven games in all competitions without a victory.

Emery made it clear before the match that a draw would not be a bad result against the Italian giants as he plots an exit from the revamped group stage.

Juventus, playing without a recognised striker, enjoyed the bulk of possession in the early stages but showed little punch.

The game opened up as the first half progressed.

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Teenager Kenan Yildiz drifted in from the left but dragged his shot wide of Martinez’s right-hand post in the 20th minute.

The first shot on target for either side came when Ollie Watkins controlled a clever Boubacar Kamara pass in the 37th minute but Di Gregorio pushed the ball behind.

Matty Cash lashed a shot towards goal