Gary Lineker reacts to ‘violent’ Aston Villa incident v Bournemouth – ‘Nasty’
Gary Lineker has shared his reaction after controversy emerged in the Aston Villa win against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Villans travelled to the south coast on 10 May and came away with a huge three points thanks to an Ollie Watkins finish in first-half added time.
Unai Emery’s side managed to see out the victory despite a red card for Jacob Ramsey for a harsh second yellow with ten minutes to go.
Things could have been different for the away side with the early controversy at the Vitality that Lineker has picked out.
Lineker speaks out on Tyrone Mings controversy v Bournemouth
It was a hard-fought clash against the Cherries, but all that matters is that Villa secured a positive result to maintain their top-five hunt.
As positive as this was, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was left particularly frustrated with one moment that ultimately forced him into a half-time change.
This came as Tyrone Mings caught Alex Scott with his elbow as the attacking midfielder clattered into the Villa man from behind.
A foul was given in the away side’s favour, but after the full-time whistle, it was revealed that the 21-year-old had suffered an injury to his jaw.
This made for a talking point on Match of the Day (10 May), with Lineker picking up on the reaction of Iraola post-match.
The ex-Leicester striker said: “Bournemouth have confirmed tonight that Alex Scott has fractured his jaw. The midfielder was substituted at half time, he had a collision with Tyrone Mings and let’s say Iraola’s not happy, he says that the elbow was ‘very violent’.”
Ashley Williams came to the defence of Mings as added: “I think it’s the height difference in this. We can see that Tyrone Mings does have a little look to see where the pressure is coming from, so he knows he’s under pressure, and he puts his arm out to protect the ball.
“Unfortunately, it hits him [Scott] in the jaw, and obviously that’s a nasty collision, but I don’t think he means it.”
It is fair to say ex-Villa man Shay Given disagreed with his co-host as he snapped back: “I think he knows what he’s doing, he does have a look at him, and he straight arms him.
“I know he doesn’t swing the elbow, but he straight arms him across the jaw and a fractured jaw for Alex Scott, it’s a nasty one.”
Mings in Aston Villa controversy v Bournemouth
Another appearance, another win for Villa with Mings in the side, but on another day, it could have been a bad one for the ex-England international.
| Stat | Tyrone Mings v Bournemouth |
| Accurate passes | 75 |
| Tackle win rate (%) | 100 |
| Clearances | 3 |
| Duels won | 4 |
There is no doubt that the centre-back catches Scott with his elbow and could have faced the wrath of VAR at the Vitality.
With that being said, the Cherries midfielder did come from behind and there is no obvious attempt from the Villa defender to be violent towards his man.
Considering the fact that the ex-Bristol City youngster got up and laughed off the situation, it is probably a sign of what he made of it all.
Emery won’t care about this now that his side secured the three points and have maintained their winning form after the Fulham clash last time out.