Mike Dean immediately reacts to Kamara controversy in Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Aston Villa began their Premier League campaign by hosting Newcastle at Villa Park, and it did not take long for some controversy to happen.
Marco Bizot was thrown straight into the action on his debut for the Villans on Saturday.
The Dutch shot-stopper took the usual place of Emi Martinez, who was suspended for the game after being sent off on the final day of last season against Manchester United.
The keeper stood tall and made a fine save to deny Anthony Elanga the opener within the first five minutes before the visitors had a penalty appeal that former referee Mike Dean immediately reacted to.
Mike Dean dismisses Newcastle’s early penalty shout
Unai Emery‘s side started the game on the back foot and were lucky Bizot managed to keep them in the game early on.
After the save to deny Elanga, Boubacar Kamara appeared to bring down Harvey Barnes in the penalty area after the winger had latched onto the loose ball.
- Elanga’s chance in the third minute against Bizot had an xG of 0.48
While commentating on the game for Sky Sports, Sue Smith described the incident before looking straight at former Premier League referee Dean, who Smith said “said no straight away” when it came to the potential penalty incident.
Kamara’s challenge was subsequently checked by VAR, who agreed and opted to play on without awarding the visitors a spot-kick.
Villa need to settle into game
On paper, it looked like a good time to play Newcastle, considering the drama surrounding their talisman, Alexander Isak, who was left out of the squad for the game.
However, it is the Magpies who opened the game as the more lively side, having multiple chances to take the lead within the opening twenty minutes.
With Newcastle set to be a direct rival to Villa again this season when it comes to competing for European football, the magnitude of the fixture cannot be understated, despite it only being the opening day.
With Newcastle being linked with a move for Watkins, those inside Villa Park will be hoping that their striker can break Geordie hearts once more and find the back of the net against them.
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