Aston Villa registered the first win of the season against Newcastle United in the return to Villa Park. Danny Ings’ overhead kick and Anwar El Ghazi’s penalty kick sealed the 2-0 result which left Newcastle boss Steve Bruce fuming over the VAR decisions that went against his team. El Ghazi’s penalty was awarded for a handball by Jamaal Lascelles but only after referee David Coote went to his pitchside monitor, with Callum Wilson was denied a spot-kick after VAR ruled that he was offside.
Steve Bruce said: “I didn’t think we were looking at lines anymore, lines from armpits. I’m really frustrated. The handball as well, nobody in the ground thought it was handball. The key decisions went their way, the big calls have gone against us. It’s a ludicrous decision to get a penalty. Jamaal Lascelles’ leg is above his head trying to block the ball so if you’ve got your leg up that high, where’s your arm going to go?”
The Magpies boss admitted to feeling “a bit aggrieved” following decisions going against his team in the last two games.
Steve Bruce added: “The one way Callum gets through, the penalty is overtaken then all of a sudden there’s lines appearing. I thought that wasn’t going to be the case. Two games we’ve had big decisions go against us so I feel a bit aggrieved, it’s not what VAR is supposed to do.”
On Bruce’s return to Villa Park, the former Villa manager was acknowledged and applauded by the home fans when he made his way to the pitch before the game.
Steve Bruce jokingly said: “I got a better reception today from when I was a manager here.”
