Aston Villa FC

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O'Neill laments penalty call

23 Nov 2008 - 10:44:49

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Martin O'Neill was pleased with the point gained from Aston Villa's draw with Manchester United, but felt his side were denied a clear penalty in the goalless stalemate.

O'Neill claimed his side should have been awarded a second-half spot-kick when Gabriel Agbonlahor appeared to be pulled back by Nemanja Vidic before being sent sprawling to the turf.

Referee Chris Foy waved play on to the bemusement of O'Neill and the majority of supporters inside Villa Park on Saturday evening.

"It was a penalty. You can see it back and consider if it was inside the box or outside the box. But it wasn't just that," he told the club's official website.

"The decision is a massive one because even if it is outside the box, it's a foul. And the player, having committed the foul and as the last man, has to be sent off.

"The referee chose not to give it. I thought it was too big for him. I thought the consequence of the decision was too big for him.

"It was a major moment. He had a hold of Gabby throughout the move. I can understand the referee being hesitant about giving the penalty but not about giving the foul.

"It was a goalscoring opportunity and the consequence should have been Vidic being sent off."