Mauricio Pochettino claims VAR has ‘damaged English football’ after Chelsea saw last-gasp goal against Aston Villa ruled out as he says controversial decision was ‘ridiculous’

Mauricio Pochettino says VAR is ‘damaging English football’ with decisions like the one which denied Chelsea a classic comeback victory over Aston Villa.

The visitors had battled back from 2-0 down at half-time and were celebrating wildly when they thought Axel Disasi had secured a stoppage-time winner.

Yet VAR spotted a nudge in the back of Diego Carlos by Benoit Badiashile in the build-up and that was enough for referee Craig Pawson to disallow the goal as Champions League-chasing Villa avoided defeat.

‘We need to explain this to the people,’ Pochettino said afterwards. ‘I don’t want to talk bad about the referee, but it is unbelievable, it’s ridiculous.

‘It is really painful as it has damaged English football, the image, and even Aston Villa players and the fans didn’t understand why. 

‘He (the referee) said it was a foul and if you see the challenge, it is a challenge. If every single challenge like this is a foul, we won’t finish with 11 players in any game.’

Axel Disasi’s late goal in Chelsea’s draw at Aston Villa was ruled out after more VAR drama

Referee Craig Pawson was advised by VAR to check his monitor for a foul in the build-up