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'Give him some slack' - Aston Villa player questioned after Champions League draw with Juventus

Aston Villa shared the points with Juventus on a big Champions League night at Villa Park - some [Birmingham](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/) Live readers in our comment section aren't too disheartened by what they saw, but others have some concerns for the future.

A cagey first half saw few chances being taken by either side, but Morgan Rogers thought he'd won it for Villa after striking into an empty net. Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio dropped the ball under pressure, but a goal wasn't given as Diego Carlos was harshly judged to have fouled the goalkeeper.

Elsewhere, Lucas Digne rattled the top bar with a free kick, while Emi Martinez once again proved that he loves a Champions League night by keeping out an effort from Francisco Conceicao. Referee Jesus Gil Manzano became a talking point for his decisions, including yellow cards for Villa's Youri Tielemans, Leon Bailey and Pau Torres.

Reader **Villian** writes: “A fair result and the main plus was a clean sheet. It looked to me that Rogers wasn’t fully fit as he kept coughing throughout, on that basis I think it probably accounts for him not being at his best. Let’s give him some slack and look at the progress he has made in such a short time. Last year he was in the Championship, this year he was picked for England. He will prove to be a great asset to the team over the long term.”

Commenter **Jimjamvillafan** says: “Two takeaways - firstly the importance of Cash to us. He's had a lot of stick historically, but we're a much better side with much better defensive shape when he's in the side.

"Secondly, I'd like to see Rogers given a little rest. He's a great player but he's still so early in his learning curve, I think taking the pressure off him a little bit might help him. It does seem like Emery no longer trusts Buendia in his place though.” **Duranduran** agrees: “He’ll come again, but at the moment Rogers is bang out of form.”

One player delighted reader **Chosen in 1957**: “The great plus point in this game was the excellent performance level of Kamara. That really shows that despite his serious injury he's as good as ever he was. Boubacar must start against Chelsea.”

**Metalmicky** writes: “Well overall that wasn’t a great game. I think a point was a fair result, these Italian sides always like to defend hard & frustrate opponents away from home. Yes that was a gutter at the end, to have Rogers' goal disallowed, but all in all a point isn’t the end of the world. Just hope we can carry on that dogged performance into Sunday's game down at the Bridge.”

Refereeing decisions marred the game for some fans. **Mgb6974** says: “The ref was totally embarrassing from the start, absolute joke. As for the disallowed goal, interference?" **Crichy** agrees: “Ref was a complete joke, very soft disallowed goal.”

**Kev Utv** writes: “Let's be honest. Clean sheet, tick Unbeaten at home in CL, tick. Biased ref, tick. Biased VAR, tick. If that had been at the other end, it's a goal. If it was Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, AC or Inter, Bayern to name but a few, it's a goal.”

**Have your say! How did you expect Villa to do in the Champions League at the start of the season? How does that compare to now? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.**

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