Aston Villa have rejected their appeal against the Football Association's three-match ban for Jhon Duran.
The Colombia forward received a straight red card after clashing with Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar during the Villa game. 3-0 Boxing Day defeat. The Magpies had already taken a one-goal lead by the time Duran connected with the defender, scraping both his boots along Schar's back. Anthony Taylor showed some hesitation before handing out a straight red card.
In a very brief official statement, villa confirmed: “Our decision to appeal Jhon Duran's red card in our match with Newcastle United has been rejected. The player will now miss our next three games.”
Once it became clear that VAR would not overturn the on-field decision, Duran placed a water bottle on the St James' Park touchline. Unai Emery saved his protests for after the match. “Wow, that's hard to accept,” sniffed the Spanish boss. “Because the leg is not clear if it touches. Three games … wow OK. Maybe because it's Jhon Duran. We're working hard with him to always teach him the right way and he's making that effort.”
of Premier LeagueThe official match center revealed that Duran had been sent off for “violent conduct” before adding: “VAR checked and confirmed the referee's call.”
Emery felt the official at Stockley Park had not been properly consulted. “I'm always supporting VAR, but you have to use VAR,” added the Spaniard.
“Today the red card was clear to the referee straight away, he was the only person in the stadium who couldn't take his time. He has to be intelligent to take his time and make the right decision. In this case he has to use VAR must be smart and calm.
Duran's ban sees him miss league games against Brighton, Leicester City and another FA Cup Third round tie at home to West Ham United on 10 January.