Aston Villa boss Unai Emery wasn’t prepared to shy away from Jhon Duran’s first-half sending off against Newcastle United as he addressed the media following Aston Villa’s 3-0 defeat.
Duran’s dismissal, for standing on Fabian Schar, ended the game as a contest with the Magpies already leading 1-0 at the time. Emery fumed on the touchline as Anthony Taylor reached for his red, while the striker kicked a waterbottle in frustration before he trudged down the tunnel.
Emery, addressing the incident, couldn’t hide his frustration at Taylor’s call as he launched into a lengthy rant inside St James’ Park.
“Today, it was a red card. Clear for the referee at the first moment,” he told Amazon Prime. “Red card. But you have VAR. The referee is the only person out of all players, coaches and supporters that can take the time. He has to be intelligent, and take a decision that is so, so important.
“He needed to take time and, in this case, VAR, and confirm that it is 100%, clearly, a red card. It is very important, this decision.
“I agree always with VAR. Use it, please. Then, if it’s a red card, okay. Then if it was a penalty two weeks ago, okay. But it’s not okay.”
When asked if a three-game ban was harsh, Emery replied: “Of course. Three matches because of this red card is hard to accept. You can watch the video, the foot was not clear.
“Three matches now out, maybe it is because it is Jhon Duran. We are trying to teach him and get of him as well a good way and he is doing this effort. He is doing the way we are trying to get of him. The referees have to be fair as well, taking time with the decision.”
Emery continued: “Yes, it is [his] reputation. Clearly. He was saying so quick: ‘Sorry, sorry’. He had no intention in that action to kick him [Schar].”
Eddie Howe, speaking at full-time, was adamant he had not seen the incident on any replays but his initial decision was one of surprise at the sending off. Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was also of that opinion, adding: “I thought it was slightly harsh.
“When you’re travelling at that much speed how can you be certain that he’s got nowhere else to put his foot. Once the referee has given the red there was no way they were going to overturn it.”
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