Premier League release statement after controversial Aston Villa vs West Ham moment
The Premier League have released a statement following the referee's decision not to show Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne a red card during the Premier League match against West Ham.
Unai Emery's side stormed into a 1-0 lead at Villa Park as Jacob Ramsey scored inside the opening ten minutes. Late in the first half, Villa were then dealt a significant injury blow as Tyrone Mings was forced off and was subsequently replaced by Ian Maatsen.
That wasn't the big talking point at half time, however, as a moments before the whistle Digne evaded a red card following an altercation with West Ham's Lucas Paqueta.
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The Frenchman appeared to stick out an elbow into his opponent which prompted a big reaction from the West Ham man as he fell to the ground. VAR checked the incident and agreed with the on-field decision that it was not violent.
The Premier League Match Centre said on X: "The referee’s call of no red card to Digne was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed that his action was not violent conduct."
A victory for Emery's side against the Hammers would put them within two points of the top four with 23 games played.
Villa are eighth in the standings and have lost just six league games this term.
West Ham equalised in the second half through Emerson Palmieri on the 70th minute.
Bournemouth, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester City are all within touching distance as the race for top four and Champions League football ramps up.
Villa have also been boosted by the January arrivals of Donyell Malen, who made his debut against West Ham, and Andres Garcia from Levante.
