Gary Lineker blasts back at MOTD footage of Duran incident in Aston Villa loss
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have blasted the decision to send off Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran in the 3-0 loss to Newcastle.
The Colombian forward was involved in a bizarre incident in the Boxing Day clash (26 December) which resulted in him standing on the back of Magpies defender Fabian Schar.
The Villans would play 58 minutes without the former Chicago Fire man and lose in a comfortable fashion to the hosts.
However, the former Newcastle striker believes that the collision was accidental and the sending-off was not justified
Speaking on Match of the Day, (26 December) Lineker first said: “We believe Jhon Duran was very unlucky. We’ve had a good look at it.”
Shearer said: “I think the referee guesses on the reactions of the players.
“He twists his ankle when it puts it down, and automatically that pushes you to your left-hand side, he has to come back in which is why he stands on him.
“I think it’s a harsh decision.”
Harsh decision haunts Aston Villa
The young striker has been in tremendous form so far this season, earning a reputation as a super sub due to the majority of his twelve goals coming from off the bench.
However, he has recently imposed himself in the starting line-up, scoring in all three of his starts in the Premier League, including the 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
The red card was harsh as Shearer said, the collision was an accident, he did not intend to stand on the Newcastle man.
The 21-year-old was visibly frustrated after the dismissal and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Villa News that he could be set for an extended ban for an incident in the technical area.
Duran looked set to take over from Ollie Watkins as Unai Emery’s preferred option in the number nine role.
However, the Englishman may have the chance to ensure that he keeps a starting spot with his rival suspended for the next three matches.
In other Aston Villa news, one star could leave Villa Park with a replacement already being lined up.
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