“It’s a pathetic law, pathetic decision” – Dean Smith seething after Man City opener

Smith asked the fourth official if he had "got juggling balls for Christmas" after allowing City's opener on Wednesday night

Dean Smith used his post-match press conference to express his frustration at the decision to allow Manchester City's opening goal to stand as his Aston Villa fell to defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. City eventually took the lead through Bernardo Silva with little over ten minutes to play in the Premier League clash, but Villa's players and coaching staff clearly felt the goal should have been ruled out after Rodri came back from an offside position to win the ball from Tyrone Mings in the buildup. Despite plenty of confusion from many of those watching, Rodri took advantage of a rule which says that an attacking player is played onside at the point a defender intentionally plays the ball. Smith was sent off for comments made to referee Jon Moss and fourth official David Coote and made his feelings about the rule clear as he spoke to the media after the game. "I still don't understand the rule if I'm honest," he said. "I don't think anybody can tell me why the goal's been given; he's taken advantage of an offside position. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1352031829390450690 "It's 10 yards offside, he comes back and tackles Mings from behind. What's Mings meant to do, let it go through or do we just stand 10 yards offside in the next few games now? I don't understand. "I thought they'd at least go over to the screen because it looked a clear offside when I looked myself. When I realised they weren't going and the VAR hadn't mentioned anything, I just told the fourth official I thought they'd had juggling balls for Christmas.