Aston Villa title push falters after VAR controversy in home defeat to Brentford

Aston Villa were controversially denied a goal by VAR as their Premier League title hopes suffered a major blow in a 1-0 home defeat to 10-man Brentford.

Tammy Abraham’s second-half strike was chalked off after VAR Paul Tierney ruled the ball had gone out of play 19 seconds earlier, when Villa had it near their own corner flag.

The official made the decision after a check which took over three minutes, with Brentford going on to see out the victory despite playing for over 45 minutes with 10 men.

Dango Ouattara scored the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time, just minutes after Kevin Schade had been sent off for kicking out at Matty Cash.

The Bees produced a fine defensive performance after the break and condemned Villa to a second successive home league defeat, which probably ends any realistic hopes of challenging for the title.

It marked another big win in an impressive season for Keith Andrews’ side, who are firmly in the race for European football next term.

Villa handed a second debut to Abraham, seven years after his loan spell from Chelsea, and his first appearance in English football since May 2021.

It was almost the perfect homecoming for the former Chelsea and Roma striker as he was put through on goal in the 15th minute by Morgan Rogers’ pass, but his punted finish was straight at Bees goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

The hosts continued to threaten as Ian Maatsen hit a cushioned drive just over before Ezri Konsa missed a great chance in the 32nd minute, getting his finish all wrong from close range after Douglas Luiz’s free-kick found him in acres of space.

Brentford’s task appeared to get much harder three minutes before the break when Scahde was sent off for foolishly kicking out at Cash after the pair