Aston Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, has criticised Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens over an incident during Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 Premier League draw at Old Trafford.

According to a report by Metro on Monday, November 9, 2026, Vidagany accused the Belgian goalkeeper of deliberately obstructing Villa shot-stopper Zion Suzuki during the corner that led to Patrick Dorgu’s late equaliser. He also questioned the referee’s decision to allow the goal to stand.

The entertaining encounter produced eight goals, with Villa taking a two-goal advantage inside the opening five minutes through Alysson and Nicolas Jackson.

Manchester United responded through Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans, who restored parity before the interval.

Villa regained control after the restart as John McGinn converted a penalty before Leon Goretzka extended their advantage in the 53rd minute.

However, Michael Carrick’s side fought back in the closing stages, with substitute Joshua Zirkzee and Dorgu scoring to secure a point for United.

Dorgu’s late header sparked controversy after Suzuki complained that Lammens had prevented him from challenging for the ball during the corner.

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane disagreed with the suggestion that the goalkeeper had committed a foul. He argued that Suzuki should have been more aggressive in dealing with the delivery.

Vidagany, however, stood by Villa’s goalkeeper and questioned the consistency of officiating in the Premier League.

In a post on X, he challenged what he described as the convenient argument that football is a contact sport. He claimed that referees had informed clubs during the summer that deliberately entering the goalkeeper’s six-yard box to unbalance or push them would no longer be permitted.

He also accused Lammens of targeting Suzuki rather than attempting to play the ball, writing: “Lammens didn’t even bother to look at the ball before he slammed his hip into Zion.”

Meanwhile, Villa manager Unai Emery suggested that Suzuki was still adapting to the physical demands of English football.

The Spanish tactician explained that challenges of a similar nature might be penalised in other leagues, but refereeing standards in England approach such situations differently.

The disagreement has added another talking point to the high-scoring encounter, with Villa questioning the decision to allow United’s late equaliser while Carrick’s team celebrated their comeback.