Aston Villa and Arsenal analysts facing charges by FA after clash
Aston Villa and Arsenal’s analysts have been charged by the FA after a confrontation between the sides’ dugouts in their clash last month.
Villa performance analyst Victor Manas amd Arsenal technical analyst coach Miguel Molina were involved when the benches clashed after Arsenal scored an injury-time goal to secure all three points in their 4-2 victory on February 18. Arsenal celebrations on the sidelines drew an angry response from the home dugout.
The FA said in a statement: “It is alleged Victor Manas’s behaviour during the p4th minute was improper and/or violent, and that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was improper.”
The statement added: “It’s alleged that Miguel Molina’s behaviour and/or language during the 94th minute was improper and/or insulting, and this his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was also improper.”
The pair have until March 31 to provide their responses.
Villa had twice taken the lead in the game through Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho before Oleksandr Zinchenko levelled after an hour. A shot which bounced off the crossbar and in off Villa keeper Emi Martinez in the 93rd minute sparked the wild Arsenal celebrations before Gabriel Martinelli rounded off the scoring as Martinez left his goal untended to go up for a corner.
