Aston Villa's hearts were broken on Wednesday night in the Champions League, as Morgan Rogers was controversially denied a stoppage-time winner by VAR in a 0-0 draw with Juventus at Villa Park.
Despite the late drama, the result is ultimately positive for both sides, leaving Villa in ninth with 10 points, just outside the top eight on goal difference, while Juve are in 19th with eight points.
The Old Lady dominated possession in the opening 20 minutes with 67% of the ball, but lacked any real punch, while the Villans were more efficient with their limited time in control, looking the more likely side to find the breakthrough whenever they countered forward.
Aston Villa added an increased presence on the ball to their already-established attacking threat for the remainder of the half, climbing to 48% possession after 45 minutes, and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Lucas Digne's free kick struck the top of the crossbar, leaving the game goalless heading into the break.
Villa picked up where they left off after the restart, retaining more possession and continuing to apply pressure in search of the opening goal, but it was Juventus who came closest to scoring when Emiliano Martinez made an outrageous save from close range, scooping Francisco Conceicao's near-post header off the line.
Rogers thought he had won the game in the final seconds when Michele Di Gregorio was unable to collect a free kick into the box, with the ball falling at Rogers' feet, and the midfielder smashed into the net, only for a lengthy VAR check to controversially deem the goalkeeper was fouled, with the game ending all square.
ASTON VILLA VS. JUVENTUS HIGHLIGHTS
Francisco Conceicao chance vs. Aston Villa (65th min, Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus)
How has he kept that one out?! 🤯
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Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️
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Wow, how has Martinez kept that out!
Teun Koopmeiners' corner makes its way to the back post, where Conceicao lurks, and the forward looks almost certain to score as he heads the ball toward the gaping near corner.
Martinez has other ideas, though, swiftly diving to his right and scooping the ball away as it comes within centimetres of crossing the line, keeping Villa level as they head into the final 25 minutes.
Morgan Rogers disallowed goal vs. Juventus (95th min, Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus)
A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲
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Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌
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Heartbreak for Villa, Rogers is denied the late winner!
Youri Tielemans fires a deep free kick into the box in the dying moments of the game, and Di Gregorio appears to have comfortably claimed the ball but spills it to the back post, where Rogers takes control and chips it into the open net.
Villa wheel off in celebration, but a lengthy VAR check breaks hearts as it is controversially deemed that Di Gregorio was fouled by Diego Carlos as the keeper attempted to catch the cross.
MAN OF THE MATCH - EMILIANO MARTINEZ
© Imago
In a game that lacked quality, the man of the match award must go to the one man that produced a moment of brilliance, with Martinez's sensational save in the second half to deny Conceicao.
The goalkeeper unbelievably dove down to his right and pushed Conceicao's header away from the net, with the ball just centimetres from crossing the line, keeping Villa in the game.
ASTON VILLA VS. JUVENTUS MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 46%-54% Juventus
Shots: Aston Villa 11-8 Juventus
Shots on target: Aston Villa 3-2 Juventus
Corners: Aston Villa 3-3 Juventus
Fouls: Aston Villa 13-14 Juventus
WHAT NEXT?
Aston Villa now remain without a win in seven matches across all competitions, and they will look to end that worrying spell when they travel to face Chelsea on Sunday.
As for Juventus, the result is their second consecutive goalless draw across all competitions, a run they will aim to end with a trip to face Lecce in the Serie A on Sunday.
Ellis Stevens
