Keith Hackett in complete agreement with Jarred Gillett amid Joelinton controversy vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa fans were far from impressed by Joelinton in their win against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Villa secured an away win over Newcastle for the first time since 2005 as goals from Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins made the difference.
The Argentine opened the scoring before Watkins finally made his chances count against Newcastle to double the Villans’ lead on 88 minutes.
Emi Martinez helped Villa to victory, as every player in claret and blue put in a stellar shift to secure the result at St James’ Park.
Things could have been so much easier if Joelinton had been sent off, although Villa fans’ annoyance towards Jarred Gillett hasn’t been backed up.
Keith Hackett backs Joelinton decision from Jarred Gillett vs Aston Villa
Villa have long struggled against Newcastle, especially away from home, having gone over 20 years without a win in the north east.
Back in 2005, the Villans got a fair chunk of luck after Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were sent off after a tussle on the pitch.
Unai Emery will have been hoping for a slice of fortune in the 2026 trip to St James’, but wasn’t afforded that even after two robust challenges from Joelinton early on.
The Brazilian is known for his physicality and tough tackling, but many associated with Villa felt he went too far in the early exchanges on Sunday.
The midfielder gave away two fouls but didn’t see a booking for either from referee Gillett, something which former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett totally agreed with.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Hackett said: “Referee Jarred Gillet has read these perfectly and is not influenced by the crowd or any exaggeration.“
Joelinton surely had to see at least one yellow card for Newcastle United
Hackett and Gillett are in full agreement over the decision, but Joelinton’s challenge on Amadou Onana surely deserved a yellow card.
The Brazilian bypassed the ball and landed with full studs on the Villa man’s ankle, leaving him writhing in agony on the floor.
Regardless of the fact that only 26 minutes were on the clock, the Newcastle man deserved to have his name noted down.
This isn’t the first time that Villa have been hard done by with yellow cards this season (Mikel Merino anybody?) and it’s unlikely to be the last.
Unfortunately for Joelinton and his unsavoury tackling ability, three points is all that matters, and you know the drill by now, they’re in Onana’s pocket.
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