Jamie Redknapp admits Aston Villa were denied a ‘BLATANT penalty’ against Nottingham Forest – after VAR chose not to overturn Elliot Anderson’s pull on Morgan Rogers

Jamie Redknapp claimed that Aston Villa were denied a ‘blatant penalty’ in the first half of their game against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Morgan Rogers appeared to be dragged down by Elliot Anderson in the box, but the incident was cleared after a VAR review confirmed referee Samuel Barrott’s initial decision to not award a penalty.

VAR assistant John Brooks described the incident as: ‘A fleeting grab with minimal impact on the attacking player.’

Redknapp strongly opposed the on-field decision and subsequent VAR review, arguing that Anderson’s contact was severe enough to earn Villa a penalty.

‘It’s a blatant penalty for me,’ he said.

‘Elliot Anderson has been marking Morgan Rogers all game. It’s been a good battle actually.

In the 35th minute, Morgan Rogers appeared to be brought down by Elliot Anderson in the box

VAR assistant John Brooks agreed with referee Samuel Barrott’s initial call to not give a penalty

‘What happens is, as a player, sometimes someone just has a little bit too much strength, a bit of skill on you.

‘And you just then have a little pull and then you sort of lose where you are on the pitch and forget that you’re actually going to go into the box and once you go into the box you’ve got to let him go.’

When asked if the initial decision from the referee met the threshold for what is considered a ‘clear and obvious error’, Redknapp was absolute in his view. 

‘I think it is. Because that’s what VAR has been introduced for,’ he said.

‘Like you say, he’s pulled him and there’s real force in it. It was definitely a penalty for me.’