Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will be hoping for a much smoother refereeing experience this Sunday when his team hosts high-flying Bournemouth at Villa Park, with the appointment of John Brooks as match official bringing back memories of a controversial VAR decision that cost Villa dearly last season.
Villa's European Form Meets Bournemouth Challenge
Aston Villa return to Premier League action this weekend looking to build on their impressive recent form, which has seen them win seven of their last nine matches across all competitions. Despite this strong run, Villa still find themselves in 11th position, reflecting their difficult start to the campaign.
Their opponents Bournemouth present a significant challenge, sitting fifth in the table and level on points with third place. The Cherries' impressive form sets up what promises to be a compelling encounter at Villa Park.
Villa's recent victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City demonstrated their quality, though they suffered a setback with defeat at Liverpool in their last outing. The team has also been performing strongly in Europe, with three wins from four Europa League matches establishing them as one of the competition favourites.
Referee Appointment Raises Eyebrows
The Premier League has confirmed that John Brooks will take charge of Sunday's match, assisted by Simon Bennett and Lee Betts. James Bell will serve as fourth official, while Peter Bankes and Gary Beswick will operate the VAR system.
Despite Villa's strong record in matches officiated by Brooks - they have won 10 of their 13 games under his supervision - his appointment will inevitably remind Emery of a highly controversial evening nearly 12 months ago.
In December 2024, when Brooks was on VAR duty for Villa's match against Nottingham Forest, he failed to intervene when Morgan Rogers was clearly dragged back by Elliot Anderson in the penalty area. Referee Sam Barratt didn't award a penalty, and Brooks surprisingly agreed with the decision despite obvious contact that continued for several seconds.
Emery's Fury and Last Season's Consequences
Unai Emery was left incensed by the decision, particularly as Villa went on to lose the match 2-1 after Forest scored twice in stoppage time. The Spanish manager directed his anger squarely at Brooks and the VAR system in his post-match press conference.
"Now I have watched it, it's a clear penalty," Emery stated. "It's a massive mistake from the VAR. Today the VAR is a big mistake because it was clear, he [Rogers] had an advantage. Please. OK, not the referee. I respect the referee and I respect the VAR, but the VAR is there to help the referees."
The consequences of that decision proved significant in the broader context of Villa's season. The team ultimately missed out on a top-five finish on goal difference in May, making controversial calls like the one involving Brooks particularly costly.
As Villa prepare to face Bournemouth this weekend, they'll be hoping for better fortune with officiating decisions and a performance that can help them continue their climb up the Premier League table.
