Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was left furious with referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to send off Jhon Duran during his side’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle.
The Colombia striker was shown a straight red card by Taylor for violent conduct after he stood on the back of Newcastle defender Fabian Schar.
A majority of fans on social media argued that the contact was accidental by Duran, who had already slipped from earlier contact with Schar’s thigh.
VAR checked the decision and decided to side with the referee’s decision.
The red card played a significant role in the game, as the scores were level at 0-0 at that point in the match.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the match had ended, Emery gave a furious interview in which he criticised both Taylor and VAR for the decision.
Unai Emery believes the referee should have taken more time before making the decision to send Jhon Duran off against Newcastle… #PLonPrime #NEWAVL
He said: “Always, I am supporting VAR. But we have to use VAR.
“Two weeks ago, against Nottingham Forest, it was a clear penalty. Clear penalty. VAR didn’t check that [change the on-field decision]. OK, I accept it.
“Today, red card. Clear for the referee at the first moment. Red card. But you have VAR. The referee is the only person out of all players, coaches and supporters that can take the time. He has to be intelligent, and take a decision that is so, so important.
“He needed to take time and, in this case, VAR, and confirm that it is 100%, clearly, a red card. It is very important, this decision.
Jhon Duran was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor in the first half against Newcastle (Image: Getty)
Jhon Duran was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor in the first half against Newcastle (Image: Getty)
“I agree always with VAR. Use it, please. Then, if it’s a red card, okay. Then if it was a penalty two weeks ago, okay. But it’s not okay.”
He then added – after pointing to his head: “At the beginning, the referee, [has to be] intelligent, smart and calm. It has to be like that.”
Villa have dropped down to ninth place as a result of the 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park, which saw goals from Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are a point above them in fifth and currently occupy the automatic qualification spot for the Europa League.
