Ajayi's challenge on Barkley : Ex-Chelsea captain reveals penalty decision was correct

Published: April 25, 2021

West Brom are running out of time to save their Premier League status after seeing two points slip away in the second minute of stoppage time, giving them a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday evening.

Nigeria international Semi Ajayi made his first start for the Baggies in three games and went the distance.

Keinan Davis pounced on a defensive error to equalise right at the death for Aston Villa who could have gone on to win the game.

Sam Allardyce's side came from behind to take the lead through a Tyrone Mings own goal in the 47th minute after
Anwar El-Ghazi had given Villa the lead from the spot early in the game.

Matheus Pereira, with a softish penalty, leveled things up midway through the first half after Konsa was deemed to have clipped Maitland-Niles.

In the ninth minute, referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot after Ajayi was adjudged to have fouled Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley in the box; a penalty was awarded as VAR agreed with the on field decision.

Former Chelsea captain Andy Townsend has insisted that the referee made the right call in awarding Aston Villa a penalty following his clumsy challenge on Barkley.

Speaking on Premier League Productions after the game, Townsend said : "He puts him down on the floor in the box, that's a penalty. Referee is in a good position to see it, bumps into the back of him.

"That's very different to the equalising one, not that contact there, it's the one with his left leg that bumps into the back of Ross Barkley, puts him down and I'm afraid that's a penalty, it's a clumsy challenge."

He added : "Ajayi there is only just got to get close, because he is a big tall man he thinks he can win everything, very dangerous to do that in particular in this current climate.

"Just get as close as you can and Ross Barkley is not scoring from there."

West Brom are nine points behind fourth-bottom Brighton & Hove with five matches left.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : wba.co.uk

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