📝 Aston Villa benefit from referee error in AZ comeback win | OneFootball

Aston Villa were made to work during their 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

Scorers: Carlos 61′, Watkins 81′; Pavlidis 52′

Unai Emery’s men thought they had gotten off to a flying start when Clement Lenglet’s header was in the net within three minutes – but VAR decided otherwise due to offside.

And the decision somewhat knocked the wind out of the hosts, with Leon Bailey, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby fairly tame.

AZ Alkmaar were also behind the eight ball in the opening half and had a goal of their own ruled out. However, they ramped up the pressure afterward, forcing goalkeeper Emi Martinez to stay alert.

And a darting run from Vangelis Pavlidis at the halfway line eventually beat the Argentina star one-on-one, yet their lead didn’t last long as Villa reaped the rewards of a fluke mistake.

Boubacar Kamara scooped a shot up and over the bar from point-blank range and even though no visiting player interfered, the hosts were surprisingly (incorrectly) awarded a corner.

Diego Carlos then rose the highest on the subsequent play and headed home his first club goal. The equaliser immediately boosted Villa’s spirit, which led to the winning strike.

Watkins started and finished a slick team move with about 10 minutes remaining in a match where AZ will feel extremely hard done by but Emery will take it.

Looking at the table, Villa sit second with nine points while the Dutch club are bottom with three.