Mark Clattenburg issues verdict on VAR’s decision to rule out Jake O’Brien’s goal for Everton vs Aston Villa

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Everton secured their first win of 2026 as they defeated Aston Villa 1-0 in the West Midlands on Sunday afternoon.

Thierno Barry scored the winning goal with a quite brilliant left-footed chip over Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Barry has now scored three in his last four games for Everton and is looking every inch of his £30m price tag.

How good was Thierno Barry by the way? 🔥

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Despite the superb result, there will still be an element of frustration from Moyes’ perspective, as his side seemed to be on the receiving end of a really controversial VAR decision in the first half.

Jake O’Brien had a goal disallowed, so we spoke exclusively to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg to get his verdict on the decision.

• READ MORE: Everton icon says he’d take the Everton job in a heartbeat if David Moyes was sacked

Mark Clattenburg states whether Jake O’Brien goal should’ve stood vs Aston Villa

Speaking to Everton News, Clattenburg explained that VAR made the correct call to rule out O’Brien’s goal in the first half.

“Jake O’Brien of Everton thought he broke the deadlock against Aston Villa,” the former Premier League official said.

“The ball is played in and Harrison Armstrong was in an offside position when he jumped to play the ball very close to the goal scorer and defender.

“He clearly distracted the defender in his movement of jumping and was correctly given offside.”

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp disagreed with the decision: “Everton fans will be furious, watching that.

“VAR will say it’s a legitimate attempt to head the ball (from Armstrong) but I think they’re really unlucky.”

Premier League issue short statement on Jake O’Brien’s disallowed goal

The Premier League Match Centre account on X have posted a short statement explaining the rationale behind the decision to overturn O’Brien’s goal.

“The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Armstrong interfered with an opponent’s ability to play the ball from an offside position.”

Whilst Armstrong was in an offside position, many are arguing that he didn’t interfere with the play and had zero impact on the Aston Villa defenders.

So, Moyes will certainly feel hard done by as his side have been on the receiving end of quite a few controversial decisions this season.

Moyes hit out at the PGMOL last month after the Toffees weren’t awarded a penalty in the defeat to Arsenal.