Pundits hit out at officials after Aston Villa VAR call following night of controversial Premier League decisions

Villa won the game 3-0 to give their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League a real boost.

However, one of the other stories to come out of the clash at the Amex Stadium was the VAR decision not to award a penalty to Villa following a foul in the box on midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

With the scores locked at 0-0, the Villa man drove into the penalty area and jinked past Jack Hinshelwood before being brought down.

In real time and on slow motion replays, it looked like a penalty, but despite an intervention from VAR the spot kick was not given to the bemusement of many.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was appearing on Sky Sports, and in his view it was a spot kick.

He said: "It just looks like he’s dangled his leg to play the ball, he hasn’t touched the ball whatsoever, and kicks Ramsey’s left leg. So for me, again, I think it’s a penalty.”

Over on talkSPORT, commentator Adrian Durham kicked out at what the threshold is to give a penalty.

He added: "Exactly what is that threshold, who has said exactly what that threshold is because all day, every day that is a foul and a penalty.

“I don’t know what they’re looking at and I don’t know who has made up that threshold.”

And co-commentator Stuart Pearce was equally perplexed by the whole situation, and questioned the words clear and obvious, when it comes to VAR getting involved.

He added: "If I was in the VAR hub, I think I would say to Stuart (Atwell), go and have another look for yourself.

"You can always turn round and say, look, have another look and then see what you think.

“If you think no, then the choice is yours, but I'd have another look at this one because it's that close. That would be my viewpoint.

“We know the wording ‘clear and obvious’ comes into it now. But I think if you're at Stockley Park and you look at that, I think that will divide opinion, that challenge. Some people will say yes, some people will say no. I think yes.

“I would send the referee across to the monitor. I wouldn't give him guidance in regards to yes, I think it is or no, I don't. But I would say it's a grey area. Go and have a look for yourself."

It was a night of controversial decisions as James Tarkowski avoided an obvious red card for a horror tackle in Everton's derby defeat to Liverpool.