Robin van Persie suggested Aston Villa benefited from fortune against Feyenoord on Thursday night.
The Dutchman argued referee Rade Obrenovic admitted to an error by not awarding Feyenoord a first-half goal during their 2-0 Europa League defeat.

Midway through the opening period, Tsuyoshi Watanabe was penalised for a foul on Matty Cash inside the area, but moments later Ayase Ueda appeared to force the ball across the line despite Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot’s efforts. The stand-in for Emi Martínez was called into action multiple times as Feyenoord threatened before the break.

Speaking post-match, Van Persie criticised the decision.
“I asked the referee and he told me he was sorry,” he revealed to Ziggo Sport. “He thought there was a block by one of our players, but that wasn’t the case.”

Later on TNT Sports, he doubled down: “It was the wrong call. The referee said someone for Villa had been impeded, but that didn’t happen. For me it was clearly a goal. He apologised more than once, but it was a major decision that changed the game.”

Villa, however, rejected the suggestion of an apology. When pressed in his press conference, Unai Emery gave a measured response.

“In Europe, referees and their decisions are different,” he explained. “We must adapt to their interpretation. Across 90 minutes there were many moments. Sometimes it’s offside, sometimes onside. For example, I thought Watkins’ chance was onside. Both managers will always see situations differently.”

Asked directly about Van Persie’s claim that Villa were fortunate, Emery pushed back: “I respect his view, but I don’t really believe in luck or no luck. I believe in work.

“When you’re not in control, resilience and mentality matter. That’s how you overcome difficult spells. Feyenoord played very well, especially in the first half, and their atmosphere gave them confidence. But we stood strong.”