Liverpool icon Peter Crouch shares son's reaction to controversial VAR decision

Everton players thought that they had taken the lead against Aston Villa in the Premier League through Jake O'Brien, only for VAR to rule out the goal for a disputed offside decision

Peter Crouch's son was surprised by a controversial decision(Image: Getty Images)

Peter Crouch perfectly encapsulated the controversy surrounding Everton's disallowed goal against Aston Villa on social media, revealing that even his six-year-old son disputed the VAR decision.

The Toffees believed they had taken the lead against Villa on Sunday when Jake O'Brien's header found the net in the 34th minute. The defender deftly directed the ball into the bottom corner from close range following a superb cross from James Garner.

However, the assistant referee flagged for offside, and the on-field officials turned to the VAR to review the decision. They agreed with the initial call, ruling that Harrison Armstrong was offside and had interfered with play.

A post from the 'Premier League Match Centre' account on X read: "The referee's call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Armstrong interfered with an opponent's ability to play the ball from an offside position."

Understandably, Everton supporters were upset and disagreed with the decision, while Liverpool icon Crouch shared his son's opinion on the matter. He posted on X: "My 6-year-old has just told me that was never offside."

Jamie Redknapp, on punditry duty at half-time, commented: "Everton players will be furious, watching that. That's the one, clearly attempting to play a ball.

Jake O'Brien heads home for Everton at Aston Villa, but the goal was ruled out for offside(Image: Getty Images)

"If we look at it again, you can see there are two angles here, he definitely [Harrison Armstong] is in the middle of the box, and is he going to get it? [Emiliano] Buendia is definitely not going to get it. You can see Harrison Armstrong there, he jumps and doesn't get it.

"What VAR will say it's a legitimate attempt to head the ball [from Armstrong] but I think they're really unlucky Everton with that one."

Former Everton star Ashley Young shared the same view, saying: "I totally agree, I think Harrison Armstrong is obviously in the box to do a job and try and head it.

"He gets above Emi Buendia, but Guessand is getting outjumped by Jake O'Brien, whether his hands are all over him, and that could be deemed a foul."

Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman suggested that had officials penalised a push on Guessand, the ruling might have been easier to comprehend.

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann told the BBC: "Harrison Armstrong jumped and challenged for the ball from an offside position.

"This is 100 percent an offside offence in the laws of the game, and the correct decision was reached by the video assistant referee.

"Any player in an offside position who challenges for the ball is deemed to have committed an offside offence even if they don't touch the ball."

Ultimately, the controversy proved academic as Thierno Barry's second-half strike secured an impressive 1-0 victory.