Why Leeds United goal was allowed to stand as Aston Villa get instant VAR explanation

Lukas Nmecha controversially put Leeds United ahead against Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Lukas Nmecha scored in controversial circumstances during the first half of Aston Villa’s clash against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon. A lax clearance from Ezri Konsa rebounded off the opposition striker and past Emi Martinez from close range following a mix-up in the six-yard box.

Robert Jones awarded the goal, but the Video Assistant Referee quickly intervened. Paul Tierney and his assistant, Ian Hussin, reviewed the incident at Stockley Park, confirming the on-field decision.

Martinez was not adjudged to have been fouled in the build-up to the goal, nor was a Leeds player deemed to have been offside. An official explanation from the Premier League Match Centre on X, formerly known as Twitter, reads: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with [Gabriel] Gudmundsson in an onside position in the build-up.

“The VAR also checked the decision of no offside offence against Nmecha – with it deemed that he did not impact Martinez after Stach played the ball. Contact on Martinez prior to the goal was also deemed to not be a foul.”

Speaking on Sky Sports from the gantry, Chris Sutton offered his verdict on the incident. He said: “There’s always a debate about these situations and whether goalkeepers are over-protected.

“There clearly is contact, but is there sufficient contact? Is he put off enough? There’s also a question mark over whether there’s an offside from the initial free-kick.