By Pranav Shahaney

3rd Oct, 2022 | 5:40pm

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher delivers verdict on Aston Villa penalty claim v Leeds United

Dermot Gallagher claims that Leeds United were fortunate to see a penalty not being awarded against them in the Aston Villa clash on Sunday.

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Elland Road and the Whites were fortunate as they played most of the second half with ten men after Luis Sinisterra’s red card.

Villa defender Tyrone Mings appeared to have been pulled down by Liam Cooper in the box and Gallagher says that VAR might have recommended a penalty had they asked Stuart Attwell to look at the monitor.

He told Sky Sports, “That’s a massive risk to do that, why you’d take that chance. If his challenge isn’t seen, and that one is, if the VAR sent the referee over to the review monitor, I think they might recommend a penalty.

“If he gets a penalty given against him, I don’t think he’s got much argument about it.”

Lucky

We did have our hearts in our mouths for this one and were surprised that he wasn’t sent to review the call.

It did look like a 50-50 and on the balance of play, if that decision would’ve cost Leeds the game, few would complain about it.

However, it’s important for these decisions to go a certain way at times and nobody will be complaining about it.

There would be some qualms about Luis Sinisterra’s red card and Leeds really defended very well to maintain a clean sheet.

Illan Meslier also did enough whenever he was called into action and Jesse Marsch would be proud of the spirit shown by his side.

Patrici Bamford should now come in for Sinisterra and we do not see the Colombian’s absence affecting the team a great deal.

In other Leeds United news, an Elland Road-linked midfielder is now certain to leave his club in the coming weeks as a host of Premier League clubs are vying for his services.