Angelo Ogbonna admitted that West Ham United were indebted to VAR during Monday’s 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa, while telling the Hammers’ website that Trezeguet was ‘unlucky’ not to score in the second half.
Dean Smith will have been tearing his hair out on the coach trip back to the Midlands last night.
Because Aston Villa somehow managed to lose a game they dominated from almost start to finish at the London Stadium, mustering 16 shots to West Ham’s six and monopolising 66 per cent of possession.
Of course, the finger of blame has been pointed squarely at Stockley Park, with VAR cruelly denying Ollie Watkins a last-gasp equaliser.
But, in truth, Villa only had themselves to blame after a fourth defeat in five matches; and not just because they switched off twice as West Ham scored both their goals right at the start of each half.
Watkins himself clattered a penalty against the crossbar, while Trezeguet put forward his contender for ‘Miss of the Season’ when he scuffed a close-range effort straight at Lukasz Fabianski.
“We had a bit of luck and sometimes that happens, but it’s not just luck. We fought for the win and I think we deserve it for that,” said Ogbonna, who headed in West Ham’s opener.
“I thought (Watkins’ strike) was offside, and VAR this time helped us. This is football.
“Lukasz’s save was a massive moment too. Trezeguet was a little bit unlucky. He had an open goal, but hit Lukasz. He was very good with his reaction and in the end it’s three points and fifth in the table.”
Ogbonna might say ‘unlucky’. You could argue that ‘incompetent’ was a better description.
While that may seem a little harsh, many a Villa fan has grown tired with Trezeguet’s tendency to fall apart like a slow-cooked beef brisket inside the penalty area.
It is worth remembering that the Egyptian international missed another gilt-edge chance in last week’s 2-1 home defeat to Brighton as well.
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