VINCENT KOMPANY took 90 minutes to appear for his post match press conference.
Then joked: “I’ve just spent half an hour in the ice bath – trying to cool down!”
The Burnley boss was fuming at a series of inconsistencies during the game and felt his side suffered “soft” yellow cards which led to Sander Berge’s sending off.
But even more importantly, a “soft,” penalty awarded against Aaron Ramsey, which Douglas Luiz converted to seal Aston Villa’s dramatic last gasp win.
“There are things as a manager we can’t control,” said Kompany.
“Right now you have to allow me to not feel great about it. My understanding of some situations in the game was tested today.
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“You’ll have to forgive me – the ice bath is obviously not enough!
“Where do I start? The yellow card, the first one before Sander Berge’s second was soft. It was really soft.
“A coming together and then the clock goes ticking – it takes two minutes before they score – the Villa lad who went down clearly got on with the game.
“So for such a soft offence to be called back after we’ve conceded the goal and a yellow card to be handed out…
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“The second yellow was even softer. The penalty was soft.
“But the handball by Diego Carlos which denies a scoring chance for Lyle Foster – that’s allowed to go?
“If you look at the flow of the game, how similar events were handled, there’s a disparity.
“Either it’s a game where we allow challenges, or a game where we don’t. But I know which Premier League I prefer – as long as it’s consistent.
“I don’t want to sulk. It’s the first time I’ve gone off on a… it’s not even a rant. I’m having an open reflection.
“The handball is denying a goalscoring opportunity. But nothing – move on – it’s Burnley.
“These moments I have to reconcile. I’m bamboozled.
“I’ll go home and my missus will have to hear this from me as well!”
Unai Emery reflected on an incredible 2023 in which only Manchester City gathered more points than his side.
Villa also set a new club record of 32 league and cup victories in a calendar year.
“The year we did was really fantastic but the idea is always to improve,” he said.
“I am excited for the next match in the FA Cup against Middlesborough, and the game after that against Everton.”
Villa spot kick matchwinner Douglas Luiz said: “I just tried to score. It is hard because at that moment the result is 2-2.
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“We are level on points now with Liverpool but we are a big club and we deserve it.
“We are so happy to stay in first position. Everyone is so happy, we need to enjoy the moment.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
