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O'Neill at a loss to understand referee's decision

Pitch Talk: ASTON VILLA manager Martin O'Neill was at a loss to understand how Nemanja Vidic wasn't sent off in yesterday's …

Mon Mar 01 2010 - 00:00

Pitch Talk:ASTON VILLA manager Martin O'Neill was at a loss to understand how Nemanja Vidic wasn't sent off in yesterday's final at Wembley.

Vidic wasn't even shown a yellow card after hauling down Gabriel Agbonlahor to hand Villa the early penalty from which James Milner fired them ahead.

Afterwards O'Neill said: "It was plain for all to see. It was an inexplicable decision.

"I don't understand it. It's a goalscoring opportunity. He's felled in the penalty area. It's straightforward from an otherwise fine referee, who has got it wrong. It's as simple as that."

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O'Neill backed his side to recover from the disappointment and book another Wembley date in the FA Cup final.

"It's hard to take," he added. "I thought we played splendidly, particularly in the first half, and got in front.

"Manchester United got the equaliser but at half-time I felt we were very, very capable of winning.

"I'm disappointed for the team but they're resilient, they're strong, they're young and they'll fight back."

He added: "We felt we were capable no matter what side they played. We have to try and get back here again in May because it's a worthwhile journey."

O'Neill also saluted Wayne Rooney, saying: "He's a world-class player and arguably in the top three players in the world. It only made it more exciting when he came on."

Afterwards Vidic claimed the official had got it right, saying: "I can react better but Agbonlahor did well.

"I don't think it was a red card because I got in front of him, not behind. If I had got behind then, yes.

"It's always nice to win big games but it was hard. They played with two forwards but I thought we deserved it."

Richard Dunne refused to blame the decision for his side's defeat.

"It's very disappointing but we gave it a good go," he said. "It was a great start, that was what we wanted to do - to get in front and try and hold on. But I made a mistake and after that it was tough. Unfortunately it wasn't our day."

On the possible sending-off, he added: "Possibly, but the game went on and it was an even game all the way through.

"They got a man sent off at Villa Park and it didn't make any difference."