ANY PLAYER WOULD SAY RED CARD
ASHLEY BARNES went on to score Burnley’s opener from the spot at Villa Park but I can understand why some people think he shouldn’t have been on the pitch. His elbow on Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings (above) looked bad, particularly in slow motion. Professional players always argue that this is a red, feeling it is a violent and deliberate act. They would say it didn’t matter whether or not Barnes was looking at Mings. This is where referees — who usually see this as a straightforward yellow — would benefit from having been players. On this occasion, referee Paul Tierney strangely didn’t show any card at all.