Aston Villa manager Unai Emery called for James McAtee to receive a red card during Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 victory at Villa Park.
Forest secured their first win of the campaign through Igor Jesus’s stoppage-time strike.
Liam Delap had opened the scoring before Alysson equalised for the home side.
Ian Maatsen was forced off the pitch following a challenge by McAtee, leaving Villa with ten men when Jesus found the net.
McAtee received a yellow card and was substituted shortly afterwards, minutes before the Brazilian’s winner proved decisive.
Emery believed the midfielder should have been dismissed and argued that VAR ought to have reviewed the incident.
He suggested the tackle was straightforward and that the referee’s decision should have differed.
The Villa manager noted that after Forest equalised, the contest could have shifted, but his side finished the match with Maatsen injured.
He maintained that his team deserved their result and played the second half with the quality required to win.