Aston Villa director accuses Lammens of foul play as United's 4-4 equaliser sparks VAR row

Aston Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany has called for Manchester United’s stoppage-time equaliser to be retrospectively scrutinised, claiming goalkeeper Senne Lammens broke rules introduced this season when he made contact with Zion Suzuki before Patrick Dorgu headed home to make it 4-4 in Sunday’s Premier League thriller.

Lammens had pushed forward for a late corner and, according to Vidagany, deliberately used his hip to unbalance the Japanese goalkeeper rather than contest the ball. Suzuki flapped and missed the delivery, leaving Dorgu with a free header that VAR subsequently cleared.

“We’ve been told by referees during the summer that this season, pushing or unbalancing the goalkeeper on purpose inside the six-yard box was not going to be allowed anymore,” Vidagany said. “Lammens didn’t even look at the ball. He went straight to make contact with his hip on Zion. The rules are the rules and must be respected. That is a fact.”

Not everyone agreed. Former United captain Roy Keane argued that Suzuki had only himself to blame, saying the keeper was poorly positioned underneath the cross. “There are bodies in the way, but football is a contact sport. I have no problem with it,” Keane said.

The drama capped a remarkable afternoon that saw Villa twice build a two-goal advantage. They led 2-0 inside four minutes through goals from Alysson and Nicolas Jackson, only for Bruno Fernandes to convert a penalty before Youri Tielemans levelled just before half-time. Villa reasserted themselves early in the second half through John McGinn’s spot-kick and Leon Goretzka’s finish, but United refused to fold. Joshua Zirkzee pulled one back in the 92nd minute before Dorgu completed the comeback deep into added time.

Suzuki protested to referee Chris Kavanagh after the goal was allowed to stand, earning a booking in the process.

The draw leaves United 18th in the Premier League table as the second international break of the season arrives, and manager Michael Carrick has still not recorded a league win since August. Villa, who had appeared set to take three points back to the Midlands, will feel the point flatters their opponents.