Unai Emery insisted that VAR was ‘too much’ after six separate checks in the game against Sheffield United, with his Villa side missing the opportunity to go top of the Premier League for the first time since 2011.

‘There was too much VAR tonight. I accept VAR but it was too much. For the goal, it was not necessary. Normally, we can accept this goal,’ said Emery, after Leon Bailey’s strike was disallowed for an earlier foul by Jacob Ramsey on Wes Foderingham,

Villa rescued a point late on thanks to Nicolo Zaniolo’s header after it looked like former Villa striker Cameron Archer had taken the Blades to their first away win of the season.

Meanwhile, Chris Wilder admitted that he is a ‘traditionalist’ and refused to get involved with the VAR debate as his side moved off the bottom of the table.

Unai Emery felt VAR got involved ‘too much’ in Aston Villa’s draw with Sheffield United

Leon Bailey thought he had given Villa the lead in the second half at Villa Park

However, the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up, a decision Emery disagreed with

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‘I’m not going to even talk about it as my head is shredding with the amount of VAR decisions,’ the Sheffield United manager said. ‘Once you’re emotionally and tactically involved in a game, you can’t look back at that many decisions and say “what if.”

But Wilder insisted that he was proud of his side as they became the first team to stop Villa from winning at home since February.

‘Everybody in the world expected a home win. We were up against a side on a fabulous run that have swatted away other sides so we can be pleased with our efforts. 

‘We’re going to have to show character all the way through as we’re up against it all the way,’ said Wilder, who defended his tactics, with the Blades having just 22 per cent possession.

‘It’s not anti-football – it’s up to the opposition and a meticulous and fantastic European manager to break us down,’ Wilder added.