Ralph Hasenhuttl hits out at handball decision after ‘fantastic save’ in Southampton’s loss to Aston Villa

Saints were beaten 1-0 at home and felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty

Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl shows his frustration (Getty Images)

Ralph Hasenhuttl claims Aston Villa defender Matty Cash handled the ball in the area on Saturday, calling it a "fantastic save" as Southampton were beaten 1-0 in the Premier League.

Ross Barkley scored his first goal since October when he headed home from a Jack Grealish cross to break the deadlock and secure all three points for the visitors.

Southampton had two significant VAR decisions go against them including a 10th-minute penalty shout when Cash blocked Stuart Armstrong's strike.

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The ball appeared to strike the hand of the Aston Villa defender and VAR referee Mike Dean took a lengthy look at Cash's outstretched arm, which seemed slightly away from his body, before deciding it was not a penalty.

The official line from VAR was that the ball flicked off the defender's thigh and onto his hand and was not deemed to be a penalty.

"The handball was a good save from the player, it was good goalkeeping I think," Hasenhuttl said.

"It was not the VAR decision, but for us it was definitely a very good save.

"If that's the rule then that's the rule – let's keep on going – but I think it was undeserved to have no point."

In added time, Ings looked to have struck the leveller for Hasenhuttl's men, but the forward was flagged offside. A VAR review ruled the striker's shoulder marginally offside and the on-field decision was upheld, with the manager saying it was fine margins which proved the difference.

The Austrian added: "Exactly. Exactly [it was fine margins] and then this [the fact that it grazed his thigh before hitting his hand] is the reason that it is not a handball and then everybody throws in with everything he has and it is always deflecting.

"Because normally the ball goes up and to the hand but it is a fantastic save because the hand goes towards the ball and he makes a fantastic save.

"But I am normally a big fan of the VAR and I don't want to be too critical today but everyone has to decide if this is okay or not."