Arsenal and Aston Villa technical staff charged by FA after altercation

Members of Arsenal and Aston Villa’s technical teams have been charged by the Football Association over an altercation during their Premier League game last month.

The Gunners staged a remarkable 4-2 comeback at Villa Park on February 18, sealed by a dramatic own goal courtesy of their former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

It came after earlier goals from Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko had helped the visitors draw on level terms, while Gabriel Martinelli added a fourth deep in injury time.

Celebrations were marred between a clash between Villa’s head of performance analysis Victor Manas and Arsenal’s technical analyst Miguel Molina, and now the pair have been charged by the FA.

“Aston Villa’s head of performance analysis, Victor Manas, and Arsenal’s technical analyst coach, Miguel Molina, have been charged following their Premier League game on Wednesday 18 February,” read a statement.

Regulation and Discipline update on @AVFCOfficial and @Arsenal: pic.twitter.com/oP0xodLkdO

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) March 29, 2023

“It’s alleged that Miguel Molina’s behaviour and/or language during the 94th minute was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting, and that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was also improper.”

Manas and Molina have until Friday to provide a response to the FA.