Newcastle receive ‘lucky’ Schar red card verdict after Watkins Aston Villa clash
Kieran Horn
3 – 4 minutes
Jamie Redknapp has admitted that Newcastle United star Fabian Schar was lucky to avoid being sent off in the Premier League clash against Aston Villa for denying a goal-scoring opportunity after fouling Ollie Watkins.
With both teams chasing Champions League qualification, it was a chaotic and heated first half to say the least. Watkins initially got Villa off to the best possible start as his effort inside the opening minute nestled into the back of the net after Nick Pope was wrong-footed by a wicked deflection off Schar.
The Switzerland international responded superbly however, as he headed home the equaliser after a great cross from Harvey Barnes. Some may say he was fortunate to still be on the pitch after tussling with Watkins just four minutes prior.
An Ezri Konsa ball over the top was chased down by the England international but just as he looked set to enter full stride, Schar dragged him to the ground which saw him shown a yellow card by Jarred Gillett.
VAR briefly checked the incident and confirmed no clear and obvious error was made and Redknapp was just about in agreement with the final decision made. “He’s really lucky,” he admitted to Sky Sports at half time. “In this instance it probably is a yellow card.”
Controversy continued to follow Schar later in the half as looked to have brought Watkins down in the penalty box but Villa appeals were waved away. Replays also showed it looked as though the Villa striker initiated the contact.
Villa again flew out the blocks in the second half and their dominance told as Ian Maatsen’s first Premier League strike, a Dan Burn own goal and Amadou Onana stunner saw Newcastle lose 4-1.
Despite the defeat, a huge week for Newcastle is on the horizon with other European chasing teams still to play. Chelsea and Arsenal both play on Sunday while Nottingham Forest take on Tottenham this coming Monday.
Later in the week, Villa travel to the Etihad Stadium for a huge league game against Manchester City. Prior to their trip to Villa, Pep Guardiola’s side moved to within one point of the Magpies after their late victory against Everton at Goodison Park.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon celebrates his goal against Liverpool
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