Ex-PGMOL chief insists Nottingham Forest star should have been sent off vs Aston Villa

Keith Hackett was baffled that Elliot Anderson was not sent off in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Thursday.

The Reds will take a sole goal advantage to Villa Park next week after a tightly contested Europa League semi-final first leg at the City Ground.

Chris Wood would net the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne’s handball.

However, the result could have been completely different if Anderson had been handed a red card.

Now, Hackett has reviewed the footage in what was a massive moment in Forest’s victory.

Elliot Anderson should have been sent off vs Aston Villa

In the first half, Anderson slid in to try and win the ball off Ollie Watkins as the Villa star looked to break away.

However, while the Forest midfielder did make a tiny amount of contact on the ball, his studs also flew into Watkins’ ankle.

Referee Joao Pinheiro viewed this challenge as not worthy of a red card, and this was soon backed up by VAR.

Nevertheless, upon reviewing the footage, Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Anderson should have been sent off.

He said: “The challenge is made with excessive force, and the player is off the ground and out of control.

“It is clearly reckless and endangers the safety of an opponent.

Advantage Forest ⚽️

Full time at the City Ground and Forest take a 1-0 lead to Villa Park next week 👀

📺 @tntsports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/1AnPuGw5DL— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2026

“The outcome should have been a red card for Serious Foul Play.

“To do nothing is clearly not an option.”

Referee controversy continues to plague European semi-finals

This is not the first time the referees have got a crucial decision wrong this week, with Hackett exclusively telling Football Insider that Arsenal should have been awarded a second penalty against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

In the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final, referee Danny Makkelie overturned his initial decision following a tackle on Eberechi Eze after a VAR review.

However, this turned out to be a highly controversial decision, and robbed Arsenal of a potential advantage at the Emirates.

Now, Forest will be hoping that the referee controversies cease in Europe ahead of their second leg tie at Villa Park next week as they aim to reach the final of the Europa League and potentially lift the trophy.

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