Ban on way for Bacuna
ASTON VILLA star Leandro Bacuna is facing a ban after barging into linesman Mark Russell.
The Dutch midfielder, 25, was sent off after his ‘chest-bump’ when a throw-in went against him in added time.
Blackburn’s Hope Akpan is currently serving a four-match ban for pushing referee Scott Duncan in their defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Bacuna can expect a three-match ban for violent conduct, plus an extra game for confronting an official.
Villa chief Steve Bruce said: “He sort of stuck his chest into him, like a chest-bump. He overstepped the mark and did something stupid. Unfortunately that’s Leo.
“The linesman was five yards away but got the decision horribly wrong.
“So there’s a huge frustration. But Leo knows he overstepped the mark.
Passion
“It’s sad and he’ll also have a hefty fine so he’s going to be one miserable so-and-so for a few weeks.”
Bacuna said: “My passion for the game took over. I wanted to win, that’s all I had in my head.”
Villa’s win was their first in 11 and Bruce insists his side must become a real team like his old Wigan warriors.
“At Wigan we had hardly any support, no canteen, no training facilities, no gym and a horrible pitch but from a calendar year took 62 points,” he said.
“We had a team I could take anywhere and now that’s got to be the aim.”
Defender James Chester, 28, headed in after flicking up Henri Lansbury’s 25th-minute corner for his first goal since Boxing Day 2014.
Derby gaffer Steve McClaren confronted referee Andy Madley at half-time after the Rams were denied a penalty when Nathan Baker appeared to wrestle down Darren Bent.
McClaren said: “We’re trying to educate these referees so I thought I’d do that. It was a stonewall penalty. Darren couldn’t believe it and it won Villa the game.”