Latest Newcastle United news with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa shown a straight red card in the Premier League opener between the two clubs
Ezri Konsa is shown a red card during Aston Villa's game against Newcastle United
Ezri Konsa was shown a red card during Aston Villa's game against Newcastle United
(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Ally McCoist believes that referee Craig Pawson was left with no chance but to send off Ezri Konsa during Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
The Villa defender brought down Anthony Gordon when he was running through on goal following a superb pass from Anthony Elanga and Pawson showed no hesitation when deciding the punishment with it quite clearly the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
Up in the commentary box, McCoist had a perfect view of the incident and was in agreement with the on field decisions.
"Oh dear me," he began on TNT Sports when taking another look at the decision. "It's brilliant from Newcastle on the counter and it's a lovely ball from Elanga weighted perfectly.
"I am just wondering the way that comes Fletch, could he (Konsa) have let him take it...it looks as though he (Gordon) is going to take it with his right foot perhaps away from the goal.
"He's definitely going to take it with his right foot, he's going to get a finish off of some description so you take your chance. He's brought him down, red card and no option from the referee. I am just wondering if he actually had to do it. I am not so sure."
As a result of his dismissal, with it unlikely the red card is overturned following an appeal, Konsa will be suspended for Villa's next clash away to Brentford and will be back available for the visit of Crystal Palace to Villa Park.
Moments after the decision was confirmed, the Premier League Match Centre on X explained why Konsa was dismissed and the involvement VAR had.
Their update read: "#AVLNEW – 65’ The referee’s call of red card to Konsa for the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR."
Newcastle dominated the early proceedings with Villa debutant Marco Bizot forced to make a number of saves as Villa looked way off the pace despite an extremely positive pre-season campaign while the Magpies did not win any of their six friendlies.
Konsa's sending off also made matters much harder for Villa with Boubacar Kamara moved back into the centre of defence alongside Tyrone Mings.
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