Premier League release statement after Aston Villa had goal controversially disallowed

The have made an official statement explaining why first-half goal was disallowed against .

had the ball in the back of the net after rescued it near the byline, but after a lengthy VAR delay it was ruled that the ball had just crossed the line and was chalked off.

The decision prompted plenty of debate and many had their magnifying glasses out to determine if the entirety of the ball was over the line, sparking outrage inside Villa Park when McGinn was told to cancel his celebrations.

The match centre explained: "The referee's call of goal for Aston Villa was checked by the VAR. As there was factual evidence that the ball was out of play in the build-up to the goal, the VAR recommended that the goal was disallowed."

Arsenal icon Martin Keown, speaking on the BBC's Final Score show, was among many who were perplexed by the decision to cancel McGinn's effort.

"We need perimeter technology, not just goalline technology," Keown said. "We got there in the end, but that must be looked at.

"The ball looks like it is out to me. There was a shot that showed it more conclusively out than the freeze frame we have seen, so I hope they are using the right frame."

McGinn had been in scoring form, having found the back of the net legitimately last time out in .

He opened the scoring on that occasion before Jhon Duran sealed all three points against the side, but the Colombian striker was restored to a familiar position on the bench for the visit of Bournemouth.

Watkins was back in the starting lineup after a rare rest in Europe, with Diego Carlos, Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey all replaced by Matty Cash, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey in the Premier League.

The 3pm kick-offs in the English top-flight were rife with incidents for those at Stockley Park to sift through, as were similarly subjected to a long wait as they discovered whether their second goal would count.

Yoane Wissa rode a couple of challenges after being put through on goal before Harry Clark diverted the ball into the net, though there were fears when a VAR offside check was called on Wissa.

The match centre explained: "The referee's call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Wissa was in an onside position."