Premier League table without VAR: Where Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest & Aston Villa sit

We’re into a sixth Premier League season with VAR in use, yet it is more scrutinised than ever.

Like it or loathe it, VAR is here to stay. Newcastle United and their top-flight rivals had the opportunity to bin it at a vote last June but unanimously voted in favour of keeping it, with only Wolverhampton Wanderers voting against.

Ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, it was agreed that PGMOL, the Premier League and clubs all have important roles to play in improving the system and its reputation. In an effort to do that, six key areas were focussed on as part of discussions with clubs.

“1. Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and less interruptions to the flow of the game.

"2. Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention.

"3. Improving fan experience through a reduction in the delays, in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and where possible, an enhanced offering of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions.

"4. Working with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy.

"5. Increasing transparency and communication around VAR – including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as Match Officials Mic’d Up.

"6. The delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will seek to further clarify VAR’s role in the game to participants and supporters.”

Has VAR improved this campaign? We’ll leave that for you to decide. But what we will do is show you what the Premier League table would look like if VAR wasn’t in use. A big shout out to Squawka.com for the data.