Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was understandably dejected at the thought of losing Jhon Duran to suspension following the striker’s dismissal at Newcastle on December 26.
Colombian international Duran had scored in his previous four matches to establish himself as a starter before suffering one of his worst moments of the season.
Referee Anthony Taylor ordered Duran sent off following an incident involving home defender Fabian Schar 32 minutes into the Premier League match, but Emery, Villa supporters and many other fans and pundits were baffled by the decision.
Here’s what you need to know about Duran’s suspension, including which matches he will miss and why his sanction was upheld.
BREAKING: Aston Villa have had their appeal to overturn Jhon Duran’s red card rejected by the FA 🚨 pic.twitter.com/UaDWdE4hBQ
– Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 27, 2024
Jhon Duran suspended
Villa will be without Duran for a total of three matches, starting with the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday (19:45 GMT).
He will also be absent for their home match against Leicester City the following Saturday (3 p.m.) and their FA Cup third round match against West Ham at Villa Park on January 10 (8 p.m.).
Duran has featured in all 26 of Villa’s matches in all competitions this season, initially proving to be a very effective substitute with goals in the first four of their five Premier League games from the bench.
Most recently, Duran took his tally for the campaign to 12 as partner and replacement for Ollie Watkins, allowing the England international a rest.
Was Jhon Duran unlucky? 🟥 #BBCFootball #MOTD pic.twitter.com/gbfHqITTna
– BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 27, 2024
Duran red card: why did the Premier League reject the appeal?
As Emery’s remarks strongly suggested, Villa launched an appeal against Duran’s red card in the hope of overturning the appeal.
“His reaction afterwards, with the player [Schar] on him it was ‘sorry, sorry’,” the Spaniard said. “He didn’t kick him on purpose… it’s a very big punishment for that action.
“Maybe I can accept the other team asking for a red card, okay. But VAR [should have intervened] and I confirm it [was not intentional]because the punishment is now three matches.
Unfortunately for Emery, the Premier League later ruled that Duran had been guilty of violent behavior, effectively enforcing the ban.
Aston Villa next matches
Emery can take some consolation from all of Villa’s games in the absence of Duran being at home and looking eminently winnable.
Brighton are on a six-match winless run and capitulated 6-1 at Villa last season, while Leicester have won just once away in 2024/25 and West Ham lost their last visit at Villa Park 4-1.
