Aston Villa striker John Duran will miss three matches after a failed appeal to have his red card at Newcastle overturned.
The 21-year-old Colombia international was sent off 32 minutes into the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at St James’ Park by referee Anthony Taylor after appearing to pull defender Fabian Schar, prompting a furious reaction from manager Unai Emery, who he later indicated that the club would appeal.
However, their bid proved unsuccessful and Duran will now serve a three-fight ban for violent conduct.
A statement on Villa’s official X account read: “Aston Villa can confirm that our decision to appeal John Duran’s red card in our match against Newcastle United has been rejected. The player will now miss our next three matches.”
Emery insisted after the game that it was not a red-card offence, adding: “I don’t think he kicked him on purpose. Of course we will appeal and we hope it won’t be three matches because it’s too big a punishment for this action.”
The forward will feature in the Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Leicester at the turn of the year, as well as the FA Cup third round clash with West Ham on January 10.
