Emery explains early exit after United draw 4-4 with Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he left the touchline before the final whistle because he thought Manchester United’s 96th-minute equaliser had ended a 4-4 Premier League match at Old Trafford on November 8. United scored twice in stoppage time after Villa twice surrendered two-goal leads.

Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu scored for United in the closing stages, denying Villa a win after they had led 2-0 early in the first half and 4-2 in the second. Emery shook hands with United manager Michael Carrick and walked toward the tunnel before the match ended.

Asked about his departure afterward, Emery said six minutes had been added and that he believed play was finishing when United scored. He also said the goal was not unfair. His explanation addressed his exit, while Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, separately questioned whether United goalkeeper Senne Lammens impeded Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki during the equaliser.

Vidagany alleged that Lammens made contact with Suzuki while not looking at the ball and said the contact conflicted with refereeing guidance on challenging goalkeepers. That was Vidagany’s accusation; the reporting did not establish that...