'It was never a red' - radio and TV pundits have their say on Sheffield United's controversial defeat at Aston Villa

It’s one of England’s finest grounds but you wouldn’t find many people associated with Sheffield United who have much affection for it after last night’s incident-packed affair which came hot on the heels of the controversial ‘ghost goal’ at the re-start of last season’s Premier League campaign in June.

So, as the dust settles on Chris Wilder’s side’s 1-0 defeat to Villa, we take a look at what the footballing world have had to say about the game and its big talking points:

– the sending off of John Egan by referee Graham Scott;

– the decision not to red card defender Matt Targett for fouling Chris Basham;

– another defeat for the Blades ahead of the Yorkshire derby with Leeds United at Bramall Lane on Sunday

Jamie O'Hara, ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and talkSPORT presenter

"That decision for me, the sending off he was so quick and run over to Egan and pull the card out. Hold on, have a look at it, that's what VAR is for.

"It was never a red in my opinion, they were both grabbing each other.

"It's a yellow card and then he has to be careful but to send him off I think was the wrong decision.

“The linesman didn’t even want to get involved. It's very inconsistent.”

Kieron Dyer, ex-Newcastle United midfielder and BBC Radio 5Live pundit

"For 90 minutes I don't think Villa really had one clear-cut chance.

(Chris Wilder will) be praising (his side) to the hilt as to how great their defending was but to concede the way they did was a terrible goal.

"They switched off for one set-piece and they got punished dearly.

"Where they should have had a point, maybe three points if they converted the penalty, they have no points and go into (an) awful stretch of games which you really fear for them."

Micah Richards, former Manchester City defender and Sky Sports pundit

"It’s ridiculous now. How many times are we speaking about VAR, it's spoiling the football.”

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit

“How could he could he be so sure (it was foul)? Why is (the referee) not looking at the (pitchside monitor)?”

Paul Robinson, former Leeds United goalkeeper speaking on Sky Sports

“In my opinion, clearly it wasn’t a red card. I don’t know why on earth the referee couldn’t have taken a second look and go and have a look at the monitor. How he can see fit to give a straight red there? I don’t understand it. If there was any doubt in his mind, he’s got the technology there. All he had to do was pause the game for 30 seconds.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Matt Targett

"I think it's a penalty, but I don't think it's a red card. Matt Targett has no idea where Basham is. He's looking to flick the ball away or even guide it out of play, he knows which, but Basham's come in behind him and he's just clipped his ankle and he's gone down.

"But it's not one where you wouldn't say he made a genuine attempt to play the ball and under the double jeopardy it was decided that the punishment was too great to send a player off for that and therefore it's a yellow card offence."