Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has changed his opinion on the controversial handball incident involving Ian Maatsen during Chelsea's match with Aston Villa
Ian Maatsen competes for possession with Moises Caicedo
Chelsea wanted a penalty for a handball by Ian Maatsen during Aston Villa's visit to Stamford Bridge
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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has revealed that Chelsea were correctly denied a penalty against Aston Villa following Ian Maatsen's handball incident.
The ex-Blues defender unintentionally made contact with a lofted delivery toward the far post shortly after the interval while attempting to prevent Pedro Neto from finding the net. Despite the ball clearly striking his arm, prompting big penalty appeals, referee Stuart Atwell dismissed the claims.
Lead VAR official Paul Howard supported the on-field decision, with Villa subsequently dominating the second period and netting twice through Ollie Watkins to overturn Joao Pedro's early strike.
Chelsea and Villa have now received contrasting assessments regarding the contentious incident, with Gallagher acknowledging his stance has shifted over the past 36 hours.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he explained: "I've changed my mind. On Saturday, I thought handball but two things went in his favour.
"He has his eyes closed because he thinks he's going to get clattered and it hits him high up on the arm."
Co-presenter Jay Bothroyd interjected: "It's a tough one, because I can understand what Maatsen is doing here. He's thinking he will get smashed by his own keeper. he's tried to shut his eyes and hit his arm.
"He's lucky, because Neto is there to put it in the back of the net. You have to give that a penalty, he's got away with one there.
"He needs to be braver. If Neto wasn't there, then it's fine. But because he is there, that's the reason why it should have been given."
Claiming three points at Stamford Bridge was a huge statement of intent from Villa with it certainly looking as though they are in a title race. However, Unai Emery was keen to insist that is not the case.
“Not really. I am not feeling it, but we are competing very well," he said after the game when asked if Villa are in the title race.
“Man City and Arsenal, wow. We are going to play 38 matches. here is still Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United. “We must compete against them and try to be more or less consistent in 38 matches like we are now. Arsenal and Man City are still in front of us.”
Another away victory on Tuesday will put Villa in a superb position as they face league leaders Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Emery's side then have a favourable run of games as they face all of Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Brighton and Leeds United at Villa Park over the next two months.