Express & Star

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith left fuming by late controversy in derby draw

A frustrated Dean Smith claimed the officials would be facing a sleepless night after Villa were denied derby victory by Jay Rodriguez’s controversial late leveller.

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Rodriguez’s stoppage time strike was allowed to stand by referee Darren England and his assistant, despite the final touch clearly coming off the Baggies striker’s right hand.

Villa led twice at The Hawthorns through Anwar El Ghazi but were denied a third straight away win.

And Smith said: “Everyone can see it. Everybody knows. The lad has even admitted it.

“I think he actually handballs it twice. He handballs it when he challenges (goalkeeper) Orjan Nyland and he handballs it when he puts it into the net.

“When you get a reaction from all 11 players you know something is amiss. The linesman is in a really good position to see it and that is the job they are paid to do. Unfortunately they didn’t do their job.

“I feel sorry for the players because they have done enough to win the game.

“I am sure the linesman will not be sleeping too well tonight. All I can do is mark them accordingly in my referee’s report.

“I cannot change it. The camera is there, my players have seen it, their players have seen it. But the people who matter didn’t.”

El Ghazi put Villa ahead after 12 minutes with an effort which deflected off Baggies defender Ahmed Hegazi.

After Dwight Gayle had levelled for the hosts, the Ditch winger then restored the lead with a spectacular 25-yard strike.

“The first half I didn’t think we were great. In the second half we were so much better. We probably should have put the game to bed with the chances we have had.

“But we should still have been walking away with three points because their goal should have been disallowed.

“People will say we should have killed it off. We will continue to try and get goals because we cannot control the result. Tonight we were 2-1 up in the game and should be walking off with three points.”