Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill defends drop-ball decision against Bolton Wanderers

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill defends drop-ball decision against Bolton Wanderers

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has defended his players over the drop-ball controversy during their win at Bolton Wanderers.

Wanderers were furious they were not returned the ball after play was stopped and a row broke out on the pitch at the final whistle.

O’Neill told the Birmingham Mail: “My interpretation of it was that it was a drop-ball and the referee was kind of leaving it up to the players.

“Generally speaking, what happens is that one team allows the other one to kick it, but when that wasn’t happening I think the referee decided to say, ‘Well, okay it’s a normal drop-ball’.

“Two of them went for it and it’s fallen into play and it could easily have fallen the other way to Bolton.”

Comments about Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill defends drop-ball decision against Bolton Wanderers