Aston Villa left incensed after Manchester City's controversial first goal stood

Aston Villa were infuriated after Manchester City’s controversial first goal on Wednesday was allowed to stand despite an apparent offside.

Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock in the 79th minute at the Etihad but profited from Rodri, who had burst back into play despite being clearly beyond the defensive line, before then interfering and teeing up the strike.

Villa boss Dean Smith was dismissed from the touchline after loudly complaining against the decision – and even BT Sport’s pundits were left bemused by the chaos.

Aston Villa were angered after Rodri teed up Manchester City's first goal despite being offside

Aston Villa were angered after Rodri teed up Manchester City’s first goal despite being offside

Villa were able to stand firm and repel the hosts on several occasions but had finally been dealt the killer blow through Silva’s superb arrowed finish.

The playmaker picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area before driving forward and smashing beyond the impressive Emiliano Martinez. 

It was the interference from Rodri, however, which saw tempers spill over inside the Villa technical area.

Rodri was able to dispossess a hesitant Tyrone Mings and laid the ball off for Silva. 

Bernardo Silva smashed home from the edge of the box after Rodri dispossessed Tyrone Mings

Bernardo Silva smashed home from the edge of the box after Rodri dispossessed Tyrone Mings

It took a deep dive into the laws of the game to discover that, due to Mings’ attempt to deliberately play the ball, the phase of play reset and Rodri was brought onside.

Mings took to social media on Wednesday evening to express his anger at the ruling – and labelled it as ‘nonsense’.

He wrote on Twitter: ‘Never even heard of that rule, just let players stand offside, then run back and tackle you? In hindsight I should’ve cleared it, 100 per cent, but didn’t even know that was the case. Nonsense.’ 

Smith appeared to reserve some choice words for referee Jon Moss, who quickly made his way to the touchline to first brandish the tactician a yellow card.

The caution was quickly upgraded, though, after Smith’s appeals continued.

A late penalty from Ilkay Gundogan doubled City’s lead and secured them three points which, temporarily, sent them to the top of the table. 

Villa boss Dean Smith was shown a red card by Jon Moss after complaining about the decision

Villa boss Dean Smith was shown a red card by Jon Moss after complaining about the decision

Pep Guardiola sensationally admitted his own confusion over the rule after the game.

When questioned whether he would have also been upset if the goal had been given against his team, Guardiola replied: ‘Yeah. There is VAR here no? So, I don’t know the rule or the situation but they analysed it.’  

His opposite number, Smith, vented his frustration over the bizarre incident in his own press duties.  

‘It was a farcical decision,’ he said. ‘I’ve not seen a goal like that given. It needs to be looked at. I don’t think anyone in this stadium thought it was a goal.

City coach Pep Guardiola admitted his own confusion over the bizarre incident after the game

City coach Pep Guardiola admitted his own confusion over the bizarre incident after the game

‘I thought they would go over to the VAR screen. I saw the incident and saw it was kicking off, so I asked the fourth officials did they get juggling balls for Christmas.

‘I still don’t understand the rule. I don’t think anyone can tell me why it’s been given. He (Rodri) took advantage of an offside position. What is Tyrone meant to do?

‘Can you stand 10 yards offside now?’

Rio Ferdinand lambasted the decision to award the home team’s first goal – and reserved particular criticism for Mings’ failure to clear the ball.

Rio Ferdinand said the decision to award the goal was 'terrible' and criticised Mings' defending

Rio Ferdinand said the decision to award the goal was ‘terrible’ and criticised Mings’ defending

He told BT Sport: ‘I think it was a terrible decision. I think he’s offside. He’s affecting the game. 

‘I’m a centre half, you’ve got to clear this. He knows Rodri is there, he knows there’s a player coming back from an offside position. Take all the uncertainty out of this by just clearing your lines. 

‘A football player should understand and have the awareness to know that there’s a player coming back from offside. I’d either bring it down and play it to a team-mate or I’ll get rid of it and reassess the situation. Any uncertainty, get rid. 

‘You would have been taught that as a kid. I still think, first and foremost, it’s a terrible decision.’ 

Silva's strike, and Ilkay Gundogan's late penalty, fired City to the top of the table on Wednesday

Silva’s strike, and Ilkay Gundogan’s late penalty, fired City to the top of the table on Wednesday

Robbie Savage believes the blame lies primarily with Villa’s under-fire centre back.

‘It’s a terrible decision from Mings,’ he said. ‘Poor chest control. They’ve defended ever so well all the game. As Rio says, head it clear. 

‘Mings might think he’s offside but he’s not. Because it’s a deliberate act to play the ball, Rodri becomes active. He’s won the ball. It’s poor from Mings.’

source: dailymail.co.uk