Jhon Duran made headlines at St James’ Park on Boxing Day, as Newcastle United hammered Aston Villa 3-0.
It took less than 90 seconds for United to take the lead.
Then what looked a massive uphill struggle for Aston Villa to get anything from the game, became a near impossibility. As Jhon Duran was red carded on 32 minutes.
Fabian Schar making an excellent sliding challenge and as the Newcastle defender was left lying on his front after the tackle, a petulant Jhon Duran appearing to make deliberate contact with his boot down Schar’s back.
Referee Anthony Taylor quickly made his decision and Jhon Duran sent off, VAR seeing no reason to question the decision either.
Unai Emery made his feelings abundantly clear in the aftermath, totally blanking Jhon Duran as the striker was subbed off. However, after the game was over, Emery then tried to deflect criticism of himself and his team’s battering by Newcastle United, by blaming the referee. The Villa boss saying they would appeal the three game ban for violent conduct.
As former top ref Dermot Gallagher said (see below), that appeal looked pointless and all but zero chance of getting any joy.
Now Aston Villa have confirmed what a waste of time it was, trying to appeal that red card and ban.
Jhon Duran will now miss Villa’s next three matches, all at home, Brighton and Leicester in the Premier League, then West Ham in the FA Cup.
