Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport 1 (2:43pm, February 6, 2021) that Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez committed a foul on Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Villa goalkeeper Martinez and Arsenal striker Lacazette were involved in a controversial incident during the Premier League game at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
Following a corner, the Argentine goalkeeper seemed to bring down the French striker inside his penalty box.
However, the officials deemed that it was Lacazette who had committed a foul on Martinez by pushing him.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand was following the match for BT Sports, and he said that it was a penalty.
Ferdinand said about the ‘penalty’ incident on BT Sport 1 (2:43pm, February 6, 2021): “If I am Mikel Arteta, I think it is. I think that’s exactly, if you could watch his mouth on the clip as he is coming off the pitch speaking to the referee, he is saying penalty. I think that’s the incident 100%.
Meanwhile, Villa manager Dean Smith praised Arsenal goalkeeper Mat Ryan for his performance against the Villans.
Smith said on BT Sport 1 (2:36pm, February 6, 2021): “Their goalkeeper has made some very good saves as well.”
Aston Villa above Arsenal
The result means that Villa are now ninth in the Premier League table with 35 points from 21 matches, five points behind fourth-placed and defending English champions Liverpool, who have played 23 games.
The Villans could end up in the European places, perhaps even clinch a Champions League spot.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners have picked up 31 points from 23 games and could miss out on the Champions League places.
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