Villa denied by ref

VILLA manager Ron Atkinson claimed yesterday his side were robbed of a UEFA Cup victory by Italian referee Marcello Nicchi.

Villa played out a goalless draw with Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia but were denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty in the 55th minute when Dalian Atkinson was sent sprawling by goalkeeper Alexander Vencel as he made a mess of attempting to clear a back pass.

Atkinson said: "It was a penalty, no doubt about it. The only person who didn't think so was one who counts. the referee.

"I suppose he might have had a problem if he had given it because it could have meant him sending off the goalkeeper, too. Perhaps that had something to do with it."

Despite the disappointment Villa still came away with an encouraging result against a side that competed in the European Cup last season.

However, the day was marred when Villa's team coach was attacked with bricks en route to the match. One brick shattered a glass window alongside goalkeeper Nigel Spink and captain Kevin Richardson.

Fortunately the glass only shattered and did not break. Neither player was hurt.