Aston Villa star defender Diego Carlos has spoken out on social media after the contentious decision to disallow Axel Disasi‘s last-minute winning goal for Chelsea at Villa Park.

The Blues trailed 2-0 at halftime, but they responded admirably in the second period, with goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher tying the game. Chelsea gave it their all to grab that victory but they still missed it by an inch.

Disasi believed he had won the game for the Blues in the dying moments, heading in from a Benoit Badiashile cross. However, Badiashile found to have fouled Carlos in the buildup to the goal, prompting the referee to conduct an on-field check.

Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos breaks silence on controversial decision to disallow Axel Disasi's last-minute winner for Chelsea https://t.co/JaW7p9jizl

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) April 28, 2024

The judgment enraged Chelsea players, who mobbed the referee at full-time and hauled Madueke away. Disasi nodded in Benoit Badiashile’s hooked cross before having his attempt’s conversion by Robin Olsen. Following an on-field assessment by Craig Pawson, it came to light that Badiashile had hindered Diego Carlos.

Taking to social media, Carlos replied to Match of the Day on Instagram when asked:

“Right decision? A last-gasp Chelsea winner was ruled out because of a foul by Benoit Badiashile.”

“If that wasn’t a foul, I don’t know what was!”

The Blues’ players had already completed their wild celebrations for what looked to have been a remarkable turnaround at Villa Park. The subsequent decision to deny the goal saw widespread protests from Chelsea players at full-time. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was also fuming at the decision. Pochettino said in his post-match conference:

“I don’t want to talk bad about the referee, but it is unbelievable, it’s ridiculous. It is really painful as it has damaged English football, the image, and even Aston Villa players and the fans didn’t understand why.”

Chelsea assistant manager Jesus Perez had to remove Disasi from addressing Pawson, while Conor Gallagher and Mauricio Pochettino also expressed their dissatisfaction with the call. The result places Chelsea ninth in the Premier League standings, one point behind West Ham.

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The Blues will return to play shortly when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 2. A win could propel them to within one point of Newcastle United in seventh place.