Villa manager fumes at Vidic decision

Martin O'Neill was left dumbfounded by the decision which the manager will always believe cost him his first silverware as Villa boss.

The 2-1 Wembley defeat to Manchester United came after a sensational start to the final, which saw the claret and blues take the lead from a fifth minute penalty awarded for Nemanja Vidic's challenge on Gabby Agbonlahor.

Although Staffordshire referee Phil Dowd had no hesitation pointing to the spot, but stood accused of "bottling" sending off United's Serbian defender for denying the Villa striker a goal scoring opportunity.

Agbonlahor was through on goal with only United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak ahead of him - and the Villa manager could not contain his dismay at the official's decision not to punish Vidic and set the scene for a very different contest to the one United clinched with a 74th minute Wayne Rooney winner.

O'Neill said: "It was plain for all to see. I think it's an inexplicable decision. I really don't understand it. It's a goalscoring opportunity. The player is fouled in the penalty area. It's straightforward from an otherwise fine referee who's got it wrong. It's really as simple as that.

"In a couple of days time it's forgotten - we're losing finalists in a really fine game of football. But it's a major point in the game.

"I spoke to Phil but what he and I said will just stay with me."

Villa failed badly in the Premier League meeting between the teams in early February when Nani was sent off after 30 minutes. A 10-man United not only held on for a 1-1 draw but outplayed the home side.

But O'Neill believes the outcome would have been entirely different.

He said: "It's a different game. You're talking about Wembley. You're talking about all the things that go with Wembley in a cup final. I wouldn't have liked to have played against Manchester United with 10 men for 83 minutes in the match - I really wouldn't - particularly when the resulting penalty goes in against you.

"It doesn't matter if it's in the first second of the game or the 89th minute. The decision is straightforward. It is so straightforward it's incredible."

Villa's sense of injustice over Dowd's performance was re-inforced when James Collins and Stewart Downing collected early yellow cards while Manchester United players were left unpunished for similar challenges.

He continued: "I thought perhaps if we picked up those yellow cards then I was surprised to find out the opposition hadn't picked them up for similar challenges."