The Premier League issued a statement on social media following Jhon Duran’s red card during Aston Villa’s Thursday afternoon clash against Newcastle United.
Villa entered the clash buoyed by Saturday’s victory over champions Manchester City, but their hopes of a result at St. James’ Park were rocked when Duran saw red midway through the first half.
The effervescent striker had been in a foot race with Fabian Schar, which the Newcastle man came out on top in.
But Duran, somewhat off-balanced by the chase fell on top of his opponent, with the Villa striker adjudged to have scrapped his boot down the back of Schar’s head.
The Newcastle players were quick to react, with referee Anthony Taylor taking some time to deliberate his decision, before producing the red card from his top pocket.
Duran and his Villa team-mates appeared furious with the decision, but their protests proved pointless as the Colombian was forced to head for an early shower.
The decision was explained by the Premier League’s official Match Centre account on X, with a statement reading: “The referee issued a red card to Durán for violent conduct. The VAR checked and confirmed the referee’s call.”
Villa had already found themselves a goal down by the time the red card arrived, as a stunning Anthony Gordon strike gave the home side a lead after just two minutes.
Picking the ball up on the left-hand side of the pitch, Gordon characteristically danced his was into the penalty area, before sweeping home a curled right-footed strike into the top corner.
It’s a move the Newcastle faithful have come to know and love, with the Englishman having now netted 17 goals since joining the Magpies almost two years ago.
Newcastle thought they’d netted a second goal shortly after Duran was given his marching orders, but Joelinton’s effort was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
The Brazilian continued to be at the heart of the action throughout the opening 45 minutes and might’ve been lucky to emerge for the second half after he was booked for a stray arm on Morgan Rogers.
Rogers appeared furious at the referee’s reluctance to hand Joelinton a red card of his own, with it remaining 11 vs 10 heading into the second period.
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