The new year is only a few hours old but already VAR has made its first controversial decision of 2020 by ruling out Jack Grealish's goal against Burnley - because Aston Villa striker Wesley's HEEL was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

The Villa star believed he had headed the visitors in front from Ezri Konsa's cross but, after a three-minute delay while VAR deliberated a potential offside, the goal was ruled out.

Villa had a set-piece in the build-up to the controversy, and it was from that delivery into the box that the point of contention came.

Jack Grealish's goal for Aston Villa was ruled out by VAR after Wesley's heel was offside

The leather on the back of the Villa striker's heel was enough to rule the goal out after a delay

Grealish thought he had headed Villa in front at Turf Moor against Burnley from a Konsa cross

Villa striker Wesley won a header in the first phase of play moments before the ball dropped to Konsa.

And after the hosts had failed to adequately clear that ball, the Villa centre-back had no problem finding Grealish in the box for him to head past Nick Pope in the Burnley goal.

However, the celebrations from the Villa players were muted and cut short when it was revealed on the big screen at Turf Moor that VAR were checking for infringements.

But then came a three-minute deliberation as VAR considered whether Wesley was offside

Video technology then decided that his foot was offside and the goal was ruled out

Television replays showed the video referees zooming in on the position of Wesley's heel from the initial cross and given that the leather on the back of his boot was marginally ahead of James Tarkowski's own heel, he was ruled to have been offside and the goal was disallowed.

Following the decision, fans and pundits alike took to social media to continue their rage at the VAR system, which has come in for huge criticism this season.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker was chief among them, stating on Twitter: 'What fresh hell is this?', followed by a face palm emoji.

I never, ever thought I’d say this, but I genuinely feel sorry for the referees assistants. They’re pretty darn good at what they do and are being dreadfully undermined. Remember, level is onside. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 1, 2020

Lineker then later tweeted: 'I never, ever thought I'd say this, but I genuinely feel sorry for the referees assistants. They're pretty darn good at what they do and are being dreadfully undermined. Remember, level is onside.'

Rio Ferdinand was also left speechless by the decision to not award the header as a goal in the 11th minute of the match.

The former Manchester United defender quoted BT Sport's tweet of the decision with a series of face palm emojis.

Fans of the West Midlands side were also enraged by the decision, with one writing: 'Disgraceful var decision robs Villa again. Wesley wasn't even interfering with play either.'

Another also voiced their opposition to VAR, saying: 'I don't understand this VAR. Ball not even played into Wesley but his feet 1mm bigger. Fuming'.

Twitter user @Daniel_Cahill97 also pointed out the difference in size between Wesley's feet and those of the defender's as a feeble excuse to disallow the goal stating: 'So because Wesley has bigger feet than the defender it was offside? Shocker of a decision.'