Coaches Nathan Wade and Darrell Pascoe both agree Aston Villa should have defended a controversial goal better in their battle with Leeds United at the weekend.

With an Aston Villa player down injured in the centre circle following a challenge near halfway, Leeds made the decision to play on instead of putting the ball out as would normally happen.

They then went on to score a goal down the other end before Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa instructed his players to allow Villa to score an uncontested goal almost immediately after.

It was a remarkable decision as the winner of the match (which ended 1-all) would have gained automatic promotion into the English Premier League.

"They probably deserved to concede the goal because they stopped playing," Wade said.

"The only time we wouldn't kick it out is if we were attacking in team's 18-yard-box and they had someone go down near halfway.

"If we felt the injury was serious enough we would put the ball out; we're a pretty fair team, but luckily enough we've never been in that situation before."

Pascoe echoed Wade's sentiments saying if it was his team involved and they conceded the goal, he would have told them they were taught to always play the whistle.

"If it was one of my guys that stopped playing and we conceded the goal I would have told them it was a bit of bad luck they deserved it," Pascoe said.

Officially, there is no rule that states the ball must be kicked out of play should an opposing player be down injured.

It is more of a football convention, than any written law.

"The fact is the defender should have defended it, but in saying that, it was great sportsmanship from the coach," he said.

The Saints coach has been in a similar scenario at National Premier League level a few seasons ago where his team benefited.

"We've been in that situation before in the NPL where the ball went out," he said.

"It was a slightly different circumstance where one of the boys was meant to give it back, but he saw an opportunity and slotted the goal."

He did, however, admit if there was a genuine concern for a player's welfare during a game, the ball should always be put over the sideline.

"If there was a genuine concern there was a serious injury we'd always put the ball out, but not for a cramp because that's bad luck and more a fitness issue," he said.

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