Gary Neville asks are ‘they allowed to do that’ on air after controversial moment during Man City vs Aston Villa

In a pulsating encounter that highlighted both the brilliance and controversy of Premier League football, Manchester City secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. The reigning champions left it late, with Matheus Nunes’ 94th-minute winner sending the home crowd into raptures and moving City into third place in the Premier League table, keeping their Champions League qualification hopes firmly on track

The evening began with Manchester City asserting their dominance in familiar fashion. Just seven minutes into the contest, the hosts broke the deadlock through Bernardo Silva, who calmly slotted home after Omar Marmoush’s deflected pass found its way to the Portuguese international. The early goal seemed to set the stage for a comfortable City victory, but Villa had other ideas.

Unai Emery’s men, who have been this season’s surprise package, responded impressively. Their perseverance was rewarded in the 18th minute when referee Craig Pawson, after consulting the pitchside monitor following a VAR review, awarded Villa a penalty after Ruben Dias was adjudged to have tripped Jacob Ramsey in the box. The decision sparked protests from City players and fans alike, with Pep Guardiola receiving a yellow card for his animated objections.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, on loan at Villa since January, stepped up with confidence and sent Stefan Ortega the wrong way to level the scores. The equalizer injected new life into the visitors, who began to grow into the game and frustrate City’s fluid attack.

As the match progressed into the second half, both teams created opportunities but lacked the clinical edge to convert. Villa’s defensive organization, a hallmark of Emery’s coaching philosophy, kept City at bay despite the home side’s territorial advantage and possession dominance. With each passing minute, it seemed increasingly likely that the points would be shared—a result that would have significantly dented City’s Champions League aspirations.

However, just as the fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, City demonstrated the championship mentality that has defined their era under Guardiola. In the dying moments of the game, a well-worked move culminated in Matheus Nunes finding himself unmarked at the far post, where he tapped home to secure a vital 2-1 victory for the Citizens.

The match was not without its share of controversy, with the first-half penalty decision being the focal point of debate. When Ruben Dias and Jacob Ramsey collided in the box, referee Craig Pawson initially waved play on, seeing nothing untoward in the challenge. However, VAR suggested an on-field review, which ultimately led to the penalty being awarded.

What raised eyebrows—and indeed, Gary Neville’s question about protocol—was the decision to show replays of the incident on the stadium’s big screen before the penalty was taken. As the replay was shown, loud boos echoed around the Etihad, with City players visibly frustrated by what they perceived as an incorrect decision.

During the broadcast, Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville questioned: “He leaves his right leg in, it’s clever. They showed a replay on the big screen… are they allowed to do that?”

This prompted the Premier League to issue a clarifying statement: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Aston Villa.”

During the halftime break, Sky Sports host Kelly Cates confirmed that replays are indeed permitted to be shown on stadium screens when a decision is overturned by VAR—clarifying the procedural question raised by Neville.

While the penalty decision dominated discussions at halftime, the post-match analysis shifted focus to Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose performance raised questions about his current form. The Argentine shot-stopper, who has been crowned the world’s best goalkeeper with consecutive Yashin Trophy wins in 2023 and 2024, appeared uncertain throughout the evening and was partially at fault for Silva’s opening goal.

Social media was rife with criticism of Martinez, with many fans questioning whether his stellar reputation remains justified based on recent performances. One fan commented: “Emi Martinez has fallen off recently considering how good he once was,” while another more bluntly stated: “Emi Martinez winning the Yashin award 2 years on the spin will never sit right with me.”

The criticism highlights a growing sentiment that Martinez’s accolades may be disproportionate to his actual performances. Some fans even suggested that his association with Lionel Messi has elevated his status beyond what his abilities warrant: “Emi Martinez being the best goalkeeper on the planet is the biggest myth ever. Messi’s name literally elevated him.”

It’s worth noting that Martinez’s rise to prominence coincided with Argentina’s success in the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, where his penalty heroics and psychological tactics against opposition players earned him both admiration and criticism.

Despite the heartbreaking nature of the defeat, Villa manager Unai Emery found positives in his team’s performance. Speaking after the match, the Spaniard praised his players’ resilience and competitive spirit: “We lost, but we competed very well, and we reacted after the goal fantastic, scoring one goal, drawing and we were defending very well, competing very well.”

Emery’s comments reflect the remarkable journey Villa has undertaken under his stewardship. From relegation battlers to European contenders, Villa’s transformation has been one of the most compelling narratives of recent Premier League seasons. Even in defeat at the Etihad, they demonstrated why they are considered serious challengers for Champions League qualification.

“Of course, overall, we can feel proud of everything we are doing,” Emery continued. “The supporters as well, they were with us today here, because they know as well the importance for us to play in the Premier League and, through it, to get Europe again.”

For Manchester City, the victory represents another example of their remarkable determination under pressure. Despite not playing with their usual fluency, they found a way to secure three crucial points—a characteristic that has defined their dominance in English football over the past six years.

The win moves City into third place, keeping them within striking distance of the top two as the season enters its final stretch. While they haven’t displayed the same dominance as in previous campaigns, their ability to grind out results in challenging circumstances demonstrates why they remain perennial contenders.

Guardiola’s side has shown remarkable resilience this season, especially considering the injuries to key players and the added pressure of defending multiple titles. The late winner against Villa epitomizes their never-say-die attitude—a quality that has been instrumental in their era of success.

The result has significant implications for the Champions League qualification race. With City strengthening their position in third, the pressure mounts on Villa and other contenders vying for a place in Europe’s elite competition next season.

For Villa, the defeat represents a setback in their quest to secure Champions League football for the first time since 1982/83, when they reached the quarter-finals as European Cup holders. However, with several matches remaining and their impressive home form, Emery’s men remain firmly in contention for a top-five finish.

The expanded Champions League format set to be introduced next season means that fifth place could potentially secure qualification, adding an extra dimension to the battle in the upper echelons of the Premier League table. This context makes every point even more valuable as teams jockey for position in the final weeks of the campaign.

The article’s connection to a related piece about Prince William—a well-known Aston Villa supporter—attending their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain earlier in April provides an interesting subplot. The Prince’s tactical analysis before that match demonstrated his genuine passion and knowledge about his beloved club:

“I think we all saw the Liverpool game, and PSG’s intensity. In the first leg, they were unbelievable. They gave a lot of pressure, they pressed very high. I think for Unai tonight and the team, it’s about managing that press. Unai likes it when teams come on to them, play quite a high press. But obviously there’s a limit. Can we get around the press and can we beat it?”

The Prince’s involvement highlights Villa’s growing prominence on the European stage and how their resurgence under Emery has captivated supporters from all walks of life, including royalty. His detailed tactical assessment surprised many viewers, demonstrating a level of football knowledge that transcends the typical celebrity fan analysis.

From a tactical perspective, the match showcased the chess match between Guardiola and Emery—two of the game’s most respected tacticians. City dominated possession as expected, but Villa’s compact defensive shape limited space in dangerous areas, forcing the hosts to be patient in their buildup play.

Guardiola’s side attempted to create overloads in wide areas, particularly targeting Villa’s full-backs with quick combinations between Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden. However, Villa’s disciplined midfield trio provided excellent protection, shuttling effectively to close passing lanes and minimize the impact of City’s creative players.

The introduction of Matheus Nunes proved decisive, with the Portuguese midfielder offering fresh energy and direct running in the closing stages. His positioning for the winning goal—finding space at the far post while Villa’s defenders were drawn to the near post movement—highlighted his game intelligence and City’s ability to exploit minute details in opposition defenses.

For Villa, their counter-attacking approach nearly paid dividends, with several transitions creating promising situations that lacked only the final ball or finish. Emery’s defensive organization restricted City to fewer clear-cut chances than they typically create at home, emphasizing why Villa have been such difficult opponents for top

While social media criticism of Emiliano Martinez was prevalent following the match, it’s important to place his performance in a broader context. The Argentine goalkeeper has been a transformative signing for Villa since arriving from Arsenal in 2020, providing leadership, confidence, and world-class shot-stopping abilities that have been crucial to their progression under Dean Smith and now Unai Emery.

His Yashin Trophy wins recognize his contributions at both club and international level, where his penalty heroics and commanding presence have been instrumental in Argentina’s recent success. The debate around Martinez often extends beyond his goalkeeping abilities to his gamesmanship and psychological tactics, which divide opinion but undeniably demonstrate his competitive mentality.

One could argue that Martinez’s occasional errors receive disproportionate attention precisely because of his high profile and controversial personality. Every goalkeeper, even the elite, experiences fluctuations in form, and judging Martinez’s quality based on isolated incidents rather than his consistent body of work over multiple seasons does a disservice to his capabilities.

That said, the scrutiny comes with the territory of being considered among the world’s best, and Martinez will need to respond with performances that silence the critics—something he has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to do throughout his career.

Looking Ahead: Implications for Both Teams

As the season approaches its climax, this result carries significant implications for both Manchester City and Aston Villa. For City, the victory keeps them firmly in contention for Champions League qualification, with their experience in handling pressure situations likely to prove valuable in the remaining fixtures.

Villa, meanwhile, must quickly recover from this disappointment as they continue their pursuit of European football. The mental resilience they’ve displayed throughout the season under Emery suggests they’ll be able to bounce back, and their remaining fixtures present opportunities to strengthen their position.

The talent and tactical acumen within both squads ensure they’ll remain fascinating teams to watch as the season concludes. City’s championship pedigree versus Villa’s refreshing emergence as contenders represents two contrasting but equally compelling stories in the Premier League landscape.

This match encapsulated everything that makes the Premier League such a captivating spectacle—tactical intrigue, controversial decisions, individual brilliance, and last-minute drama. Manchester City’s ability to secure victory in challenging circumstances reinforced their credentials as one of Europe’s elite teams, while Villa’s performance, despite the defeat, demonstrated why their rise under Emery has captured the imagination of football fans.

As the season enters its final phase, both teams have clear objectives to pursue. City will look to secure their place in next season’s Champions League while potentially challenging for other honors, and Villa will aim to transform their impressive campaign into tangible success by qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition.

The encounter at the Etihad provided just another chapter in what has been an enthralling Premier League season—one that continues to deliver drama, debate, and defining moments as the race for European places intensifies with each passing week.

This comprehensive match analysis explores the tactical nuances, pivotal moments, and broader implications of Manchester City’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, while examining the surrounding storylines that have captured football fans’ attention.