'It's not rash': Former Premier League referee has now given his thoughts on controversial AVFC red card against NUFC

Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran had been enjoying a great run of goal-scoring form going into the game against Newcastle United on Boxing Day but the Colombian took the headlines for entirely different reasons.

Newcastle United won comfortably at St James' Park with a 3-0 win despite seeing three goals chalked off by the officials.

Things were looking fairly straightforward for the Magpies as they took the lead after two minutes. However, Villa did start to fight their way back into the game until their main striker Jhon Duran was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Fabian Schar.

Adjudged to have brought his studs down on the backside of the Swiss defender, Anthony Taylor brandished the red card and Duran's afternoon was over.

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Dermot Gallagher believes Anthony Taylor got it right

The decision has divided opinion amongst the footballing world. I felt it was harsh and Alan Shearer agreed. Obviously, Unai Emery is adamant that it was a harsh sending-off.

However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said his piece on Sky Sports' Ref Watch and he believes Anthony Taylor got it right.

"I thought it was a red card. People say he's off balance because Schar's pulling him and that there's always going to be contact, but I thought he could avoid that. That's what Anthony Taylor has seen.

"What I like about it is that Taylor tracks it, sees what has happened, and takes his time. I don't have a problem with that as the ball is dead. He's probably got some input from the assistants and fourth official. He's taken his time, it's not rash. His right leg changes direction. That's what Anthony's seen. I can see that. The assistant said he'd seen it too.

"The decision was made in real time, nobody went to a monitor like a CSI breakdown. The process was about human beings making the right decision."

Aston Villa will appeal the decision

I'm still not convinced it was the right decision, but I think that's partly because it just makes it all the more amusing.

Aston Villa are set to appeal the decision, claiming that there was nowhere else Duran's leg could have gone.

Whatever happens with that it won't change the outcome of the game, so good luck to 'em.