Ezri Konsa was shown a red card during Aston Villa’s goalless draw with Newcastle United and Mark Clattenburg has been having his say on the matter.
Newcastle United failed to capitalise on Aston Villa going down to ten men following Ezri Konsa’s red card for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
Overall, both teams will be rather pleased with a point, as Villa were reduced to ten men, and Newcastle will know that’s a tough fixture already out of the way.
The main talking point from the second match of the 2025/26 season will be Konsa’s dismissal, and Clattenburg has given his honest view on the decision.
Ezri Konsa sent off during Aston Villa v Newcastle United in the Premier League
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Exclusive: Mark Clattenburg praises decision to send off Ezri Konsa
Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has praised Craig Pawson’s decision to show the Aston Villa defender a red card.
In the 66th minute, Anthony Elanga sent Anthony Gordon racing through on goal after the Newcastle attacker managed to get on the wrong side of Konsa.
The Villa defender sensed danger straight away, but appeared to panic and hauled Gordon to the floor, which Pawson deemed to be the denial of a goal-scoring chance.
Because the Magpies’ attacker had good control of the ball and was closing in on Villa’s penalty area, the decision to send him off was seen as a fair one.
Clattenburg told TBR Football: “Craig Pawson had a big decision to make when Anthony Gordon was sprinting towards goal before being pulled back by Ezri Konsa. Gordon is goal side of Konsa and has good control of the ball, which is central and close to the edge of the penalty area before being pulled back.
“Top referees are already thinking one step ahead and the moment Gordon is fouled, he brings out the red card as if he doesn’t think ahead, the picture in his head can change and he could think that Mings can cover. This is not the case at the moment of the foul.”
Fortunately for Konsa, Newcastle failed to capitalise on the man advantage in the remaining 24 minutes and the game finished in a stalemate.
Ezri Konsa will serve a one-match ban after red card
Konsa will miss just one match due to the incident being a DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity) offence.
Pau Torres is the most likely defender to replace Konsa in their next match away at Brentford, partnering Tyrone Mings.
Villa were already without Emi Martinez through suspension, but the Argentine goalkeeper is set to return from his one-match ban next time out.
Aston Villa fans praised Marco Bizot’s display against the Tyneside club following his arrival from Stade Brest over the summer.