'I'm going red card': VAR audio of Jhon Duran's Boxing Day red card against Newcastle United has been released

Newcastle United received a late Christmas gift on Boxing Day as Jhon Duran was shown a straight red card for a foul on Fabian Schar as the Magpies beat Aston Villa 3-0.

It was a highly controversial decision which still causes debate to this day with some feeling that Duran's studs up the back of Schar was a deliberate act and others making the case that there was nowhere else his feet could have gone.

I personally lean more towards accidental, although I'd never say that to a Villa fan, obviously, but I can also definitely see how the red card could be given.

Now, though, we don't need to wonder how the referee came to that conclusion any more as the audio between Anthony Taylor, the on-field referee, and the VAR has been revealed.

The assistant referee advised Anthony Taylor that it was nothing more than a yellow card

Our good mate and fan favourite ex-player and pundit, Michael Owen stood with the head of the PGMOL, Howard Webb to go through the incident in which Anthony Taylor made up his mind very early that he was showing the red card while VAR backed up his decision despite the assistant referee originally saying it was just a yellow card offence.

The assistant referee immediately said that it was just a caution.

"So, Duran steps on the back. For me, it's a reckless act rather than anything more. He's sort of trying to stop and then lands in the wrong place. So Duran caution."

Anthony Taylor was quick to brandish the red card

Anthony Taylor acknowledges his assistant but then he notices that Schar appears to be in discomfort.

"Hang on, he's holding somewhere else here. I'm going red card."

Taylor can be heard telling the Aston Villa players that if it's proved wrong he'll change it, but VAR felt the raking action of the studs was enough to warrant the red card and stuck by their on-field colleague.

Aston Villa later tried to appeal the decision but got nowhere.