Mauricio Pochettino says VAR is damaging English football after late Chelsea winner against Aston Villa is controversially ruled out 

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at VAR following a controversial decision in his side's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, April 27.

The Blues came back from being 2-0 down in the first half to drawing 2-2 in the second half against Villa in their Premier League clash. They then thought they had completed the comeback and scored the winner through Axel Disasi in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The goal initially stood but after a VAR check, referee Craig Pawson was recommended an on-field review. He disallowed the goal as Benoit Badiashile was deemed to have fouled Diego Carlos in the buildup. Chelsea were furious with the decision and some players even exchanged words with the referee after the game.

In a post-match interview, Pochettino hit out at VAR itself, saying on TNT Sports:

"Me and you and everyone in the stadium watching the game, they didn't see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that's it.

"For me, it damaged a little bit the Premier League and English [football]. If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision ... [it] damaged myself, damaged my team, my players, the fans."

VAR and the officials have come under immense criticism this season due to a multitude of errors, especially in the Premier League.

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Chelsea bounce back to hold Aston Villa to a draw

The Blues had the worst possible start against Villa on Saturday after Marc Cucurella scored an own goal in the fourth minute. However, Chelsea recovered well and dominated possession for almost the entire first half. Villa, though, made it 2-0 against the run of play through Morgan Rogers in the 42nd minute.

Nicolas Jackson had a goal disallowed for offside and then hit the post in the first half as well. The Blues continued their domination in the second half and scored in the 62nd minute via Noni Madueke. Conor Gallagher then restored parity in the 81st minute with a stunning strike from his weaker left foot.

With the west London side's goal getting disallowed, the match ended 2-2. Chelsea had 72% possession, with 5/21 shots on target while Villa had 4/9 attempts on target.

Both sides retained their positions in the Premier League table. Chelsea are still ninth, five points behind Newcastle United (7th) with a game in hand. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are fourth, seven points above Tottenham Hotspur, who have three games in hand.