Mike Dean puzzled as Aston Villa goal overturned in controversial circumstances

BAFFLED Mike Dean was left puzzled as Aston Villa had a goal ruled out by VAR in controversial circumstances.

The former Premier League referee was in the Sky Sports studio on Soccer Saturday to provide his expert view on all things refereeing.

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And that included weighing in on Villa’s disallowed goal against Bournemouth.

John McGinn thought he had fired the hosts in front at Villa Park on 27 minutes.

However, the Cherries stars were furious – claiming the ball had gone out of play in the build-up when Ollie Watkins stretched for an overhit pass to try and prevent it from rolling out for a goal kick.

As the Bournemouth defenders and goalkeeper appealed, Watkins laid it back for McGinn, who opened up his body and curled into the far corner expertly.

But on first viewing, Tim Sherwood and Dean were not sure.

Sherwood said: “It’s very, very tight. It’s going to be checked, obviously.

“Oh, I’m not sure Mike, I don’t think the whole ball is gone [out].”

Dean replied: “I don’t think all the ball’s gone out.

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“They will have a look at it, they have to have a look at it.

“For me, all the ball hasn’t gone out of play.”

The replay on Dean’s screen then forces the ex-ref to take a closer look.

He added: “Oh, it’s very very tight. It is tight.

“You can’t tell if a tiny bit of the ball is touching, you can’t tell.

“It’s tight. It’s very, very tight.

“I wouldn’t like to be in the VAR studio – I would just go outside to a boil a kettle I think.

“It’s more out than in but you don’t know if a tiny bit of the ball… they’ll have all the technology to say if it’s in or out.”

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Sherwood quickly quipped back: “Will they?”

However, the official Premier League Match Centre account on X shared a screengrab from the replay.

And it showed the ball had indeed just gone across the line.

As a result, the goal was chalked off.

The post said: “27’ VAR OVERTURN.

“The referee’s call of goal for Aston Villa was checked by the VAR.

“As there was factual evidence that the ball was out of play in the build-up to the goal, the VAR recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Fans weighed in with various interpretations on social media.

One said: “Tough break for McGinn and Villa! VAR’s decision can be frustrating, especially when the goal seems clear.”

Another added: “That ball has probably not gone over the line.”

But a third replied: “Correct.”

And a final user commented: “It looks like it’s out of play.”

The tight decision came back to hurt Aston Villa.

Because although Ross Barkley gave the hosts the lead in the 76th minute, Bournemouth striker Evanilson rescued a point for the visitors in the 96th minute.

That was not the only late drama on Saturday afternoon.

Wolves scored in the 88th and 93rd minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw at Brighton.

And Brentford, who trailed 2-0 then led 3-2, thought they would have to settle for a point against Ipswich until Bryan Mbeumo’s dramatic winner in the 96th minute.

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