Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran will serve a three-match ban after the Football Association (FA) rejected the club’s appeal against his red card from the recent clash with Newcastle United.
The 21-year-old Colombian was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor in the 30th minute of the Premier League match at St James’ Park last week for an alleged stamp on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar. Duran appeared to lose his balance while chasing Schar, and in the process, his right boot appeared to make contact with Schar’s back. After a review by VAR, Taylor’s decision to issue a red card was upheld.
The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Newcastle, with Duran’s absence proving pivotal as Villa struggled without the in-form forward, who had been instrumental in recent weeks. Duran had scored in each of his last three league appearances, and his goal-scoring form was one of the key factors in Villa’s strong start to the season.
Aston Villa appealed the red card, arguing that the punishment was unjust, but the FA confirmed on Friday evening that the appeal had been rejected. As a result, Duran will miss Villa’s upcoming fixtures, including their matches against Brighton, Leicester, and an FA Cup tie against West Ham.
The decision has sparked controversy, with many, including former Villa star Ahmed Elmohamady, calling the ruling “disgraceful.” Elmohamady, who now works as a pundit for beIN Sports, expressed his disbelief, stating that he did not believe the challenge warranted a red card. Fans also voiced their displeasure on social media, with many calling the decision harsh and unwarranted.
However, some fans agreed with the decision, suggesting that Duran’s actions were deliberate, despite the apparent lack of serious contact with Schar.
Duran’s frustration was visible after the red card, as he was seen kicking a water bottle in anger before leaving the pitch. Villa will now be without their top scorer for a crucial period, with manager Unai Emery facing the challenge of filling the void left by Duran’s absence.
