Aston Villa’s appeal to overturn Jhon Duran’s red card against Newcastle United has been dismissed by the Football Association (FA). As a result, the Colombian striker will miss three crucial Premier League fixtures, leaving Unai Emery’s side without one of their key players during a pivotal period in the season.

The Incident: Duran’s Red Card Against Newcastle

What Happened?

Jhon Duran was sent off in the 32nd minute of Villa’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. The dismissal came after Duran appeared to stamp on Newcastle defender Fabian Schar while attempting to regain possession in the attacking third.

Historical Context

At just 21 years and 13 days old, Duran became the second-youngest player to be sent off in a Premier League Boxing Day fixture. The youngest remains Wayne Rooney, who received a red card at 17 years and 63 days old in 2002.

FA’s Decision: Appeal Rejected

Villa’s Argument

Aston Villa appealed the decision, arguing that the red card was harsh and undeserved. The club hoped to have the suspension overturned, allowing Duran to feature in their upcoming matches.

FA’s Ruling

The FA rejected the appeal, stating that the evidence did not support overturning the referee’s decision. The ruling ensures that Duran will serve a three-match suspension, sidelining him for key fixtures against Brighton, Leicester City, and West Ham.

Impact on Aston Villa

Duran’s Form and Importance

Jhon Duran has been a standout performer for Aston Villa this season, contributing significantly to their success:

Premier League Contributions: Seven goal involvements, making him the third-most productive player for Villa in the league.
All Competitions: Duran has scored 12 goals in 26 appearances, including three goals in the Champions League.
Match-Winners: Only Chris Wood (five) has scored more winning goals in the Premier League this season than Duran (four).

A Rising Star

Duran’s December form was particularly noteworthy, as he made more Premier League starts this month than in the rest of his Villa career combined. His absence will undoubtedly be felt as Villa navigates a challenging schedule.

Villa’s Plan Without Duran

Ollie Watkins to Step Up

With Duran unavailable, Villa will rely heavily on Ollie Watkins to lead the line. Watkins has been a consistent performer this season, contributing 10 goal involvements in the Premier League.

Unai Emery’s Tactical Adjustments

Unai Emery may need to tweak his tactics to compensate for Duran’s absence. Options include:

Leaning on Depth: Players like Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby could see increased roles in the attack.
Rotating Formations: Emery may experiment with formations to maximize Villa’s offensive output without Duran.

Key Fixtures Ahead

Brighton (Sunday)

Villa’s first test without Duran will be against a high-flying Brighton side. The Seagulls have been impressive this season, making this a critical matchup for Villa’s European aspirations.

Leicester City and West Ham

The suspension also rules Duran out of Villa’s first two games of 2025. Both Leicester and West Ham present unique challenges, with Villa needing to maintain their momentum in the absence of their top scorer.

Conclusion

The FA’s decision to uphold Jhon Duran’s red card is a significant setback for Aston Villa. Duran’s absence will test the depth and resilience of Unai Emery’s squad during a crucial stretch of the season. While Ollie Watkins and other attacking players will need to step up, Villa’s ability to adapt without their leading scorer could define their campaign.