Aston Villa were held to a 0-0 draw in a frustrating Premier League encounter with Crystal PalaceAston Villa's director of football operations Damian Vidagany

Aston Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)

Damian Vidagany has demanded ‘fair play’ after Aston Villa were left seething by a series of calls which went against them in Wedneday night’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.

Villa had a frustrating evening, hitting the post late on and missing good chances – while also needing a bit of luck in their own penalty area as Palace created a number of opportunities.

However, Unai Emery was not happy with the refereeing of Andy Madley and even went on to the pitch to speak to the official at the end of the game.

Emery admitted afterwards that he felt at the very least VAR should have been consulted after Youri Tielemans looked to have been impeded at a corner by Brennan Johnson. There were also a couple of first half appeals and calls which Villa felt should have gone in Morgan Rogers’ favour.

It was against that backdrop which Vidagany, Villa’s president of football operations, took to social media to let rip.

He posted: “Aston Villa deserves same respect than the other teams of EPL. We don’t want any favour or injustice for others : we want and demand respect.

“You can see clearly this respect with other clubs and other players. We deserve the same: our players, staff, club are respectful and we want fair play. UTV!”

Emery made earlier reference to the incident involving Tielemans: “I respect the referees, but they must check the action on Youri Tielemans. It is a potential penalty.

“I don’t know who is in the VAR, but if they checked Brennan Johnson’s possible penalty, which was clear for me, then Tielemans’ possible penalty in the corner should have been checked.

“He was being held for one, two, three seconds. I think this is the action.”

Do you agree with Vidagany? Have your say

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