PENALITES OFTEN EQUAL OUT

Aston Villa should not have been given a penalty at Villa Park against Birmingham on Sunday.It decided the match.Martin Atkinson was too far away and replays clearly showed that Roger Johnson played the ball against Gabriel Agbonlahor.I couldn't tell at the time from my seat on the half way line although it felt harsh.Video replays would have helped but as we know all football wants to consider is goal area officials but some of their decisions in UEFA Cup matches have been weak.Martin O'Neill had cause to complain when Manchester United's defender Vidic was not re-carded after conceeding a penalty against Agbonlahor in the Carling Cup final when Vidic was the last man.The Villa manager was equally aggrieved when Villa did not get a penalty decision in the FA Cup semi-final.So I was disappointed when he said that the penalty against Birmingham should have been given.You do have to take the rough with the smooth!