VAR Frustrates Unai Emery As Aston Villa Miss Chance To Top Premier League

Aston Villa missed the chance to go top of the Premier League, with manager Unai Emery proclaiming VAR was "too much" after Nicolo Zaniolo's late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Sheffield United on Friday. The visitors kicked off bottom of the table, with Birmingham club Villa having won their last 15 home games in the Premier League. But Cameron Archer, sold by Villa to the Blades in pre-season, stunned the home fans at Villa Park by opening the scoring in the 87th minute with a close-range shot.

Substitute Zaniolo rescued a point for Villa with a header seven minutes into stoppage time.

Villa needed a win to go top of the Premier League for the first time since August 2011, having not led the table at this stage of the season for 25 years.

But they remained behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference despite dominating possession and having the better of the game's chances.

Leon Bailey had the ball in the net early in the second half but it was ruled out by the video assistant referee, with VAR also rejecting three Villa penalty claims.

"I am very happy and very proud of the players," Emery told the BBC.

"It was very difficult to keep our winning record. They defended really well."

He added: "I accept VAR always. But only today I think it was too much. It was not necessary to review two or three times in the first half. And the goal, it was not necessary. Normally we can accept this goal.

"We are disappointed with the result today but we are accepting it. We have to focus for the next match against Manchester United, it will be incredible."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said: "Being greedy, and the manner of their goal as well, (I wanted three points) but we'd have definitely have settled for a