Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was understandably dejected at the prospect of losing Jhon Duran to suspension following the forward’s dismissal at Newcastle on December 26.
Colombia international Duran had scored in his four previous matches to establish himself as a starter before suffering one of his worst moments of the season.
Referee Anthony Taylor ordered Duran off following an incident involving home defender Fabian Schar after 32 minutes of 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 punishment has been confirmed.
BREAKING: Aston Villa have had their appeal to overturn Jhon Duran’s red card turned down by the FA 🚨 pic.twitter.com/UaDWdE4hBQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 27, 2024
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Jhon Duran suspension
Villa will be without Duran for a total of three matches, starting with the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday (7.45pm GMT).
He will also be absent for their home match against Leicester City the following Saturday (3pm) and their FA Cup third-round tie against West Ham at Villa Park on January 10 (8pm).
Duran has featured in all 26 of Villa’s matches in all competitions this season, initially proving himself a highly effective substitute with goals in the first four of their five Premier League games from the bench.
More recently, Duran has taken his tally for the campaign to 12 as a partner to 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 appeal?
As Emery’s remarks strongly suggested, Villa launched an appeal against Duran’s red card in the hope of overturning the call.
“His reaction after, with the player [Schar] over him, was ‘sorry, sorry’,” said the Spaniard. “He didn’t kick him on purpose… it’s a very big punishment for this action.
“I can accept maybe the other team asking for a red card, okay. But VAR [should have intervened] and confirm it [was not intentional], because the punishment now is three matches.”
Unfortunately for Emery, the Premier League subsequently found that Duran had been guilty of violent conduct, enforcing the ban.
Aston Villa fixtures
Emery may take some consolation from all of Villa’s games in Duran’s absence being at home and looking eminently winnable.
Brighton are on a six-game winless run and capitulated 6-1 at Villa last season, while Leicester have only won once away in 2024/25 and West Ham lost their last visit to Villa Park 4-1.
