Leeds United took an early lead against Aston Villa thanks to a contentious Lukas Nmecha goal, awarded after a lengthy VAR review that scrutinized both a potential offside and a challenge on goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
According to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post, the opening minutes of the Premier League clash between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road were marred by a controversial goal decision that required a prolonged VAR check.
The incident occurred just eight minutes into the game when Lukas Nmecha scored a “somewhat fortuitous goal.”
The sequence began with a Sean Longstaff free-kick that caused issues for the Villa defense. Anton Stach challenged Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, and the ball rebounded toward the net.
England defender Ezri Konsa attempted a clearance, but it struck Nmecha and deflected into the goal, giving the Leeds summer signing his third goal of the season.
The subsequent lengthy VAR check assessed two main points: a potential offside from Longstaff’s initial free-kick and a possible foul on Martinez. Ultimately, the goal was awarded, much to the delight of the Elland Road crowd.
Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton gave his assessment of the controversial contact, saying: “It’s an awkward one for Martinez.
Is he backed in to there? I think he is but then there is the question should he be stronger in that situation. There is a little touch from Nmecha but is it enough? He’s backing in there and unfortunately for Konsa his clearance hits Nmecha and it goes in.”
Sutton added that the goal “may be the luckiest goal of his career, the way it came about with the Konsa clearance. But Martinez deemed not strong enough in that situation.”