Former top referee rules on this controversial Aston Villa v Newcastle incident | OneFootball

Dermot Gallagher reviews controversial decisions in the Premier League after each round of games, on behalf of Sky Sports.

The former top referee has now given his call on this incident in the Aston Villa v Newcastle match.

Dermot Gallagher looking at what happened during a key moment in this match at Villa Park.

A game that saw Newcastle United start the season with a very good performance and excellent point, though it could and should have been all three points.

Dermot Gallagher talking to Sky Sports about this Aston Villa v Newcastle controversial incident:

Ezri Konsa sent off for foul on Anthony Gordon as the last defender.

DERMOT GALLAGHER VERDICT

Correct decision.

“Craig Pawson was very decisive.”

Former striker Jay Bothroyd adding his verdict:

“That’s the most obvious red card we will see this season.

“Konsa might have been able to get back if he hasn’t pulled him down.

“It was a poor decision from him.”

As Dermot Gallagher says, the on-pitch referee was very decisive.

Which was no wonder, because as Jay Bothroyd points out, it was the easiest of red card decisions to give.

A shame that Dermot Gallagher didn’t cover an incident earlier in the game, Harvey Barnes looked to be clearly tripped in the penalty area but Pawson didn’t give the penalty, then VAR chose not to intervene.

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 16 August 2025 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Villa

Konsa red card 66

(Stats in brackets are at half-time)

Possession was Newcastle 59% (58%) Villa 41% (42%)

Total shots were Newcastle 16 (8) Villa 3 (0)

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (2) Villa 3 (0)

Corners were Newcastle 6 (3) Villa 3 (2)

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 (18) Villa 14 (5)

Newcastle team v Aston Villa:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton (Miley 83), Tonali, Bruno, Barnes (Osula 90), Gordon, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 78)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Seung-soo

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after Aston Villa 0-0…Read HERE)

(Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Match Report – United’s demise much exaggerated as by far the better team – It ends Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Read HERE)

Opening Newcastle United match schedule:

Saturday 16 August – Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0

Monday 25 August – Newcastle v Liverpool (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 30 August – Leeds v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 13 September – Newcastle v Wolves (3pm)

Saturday 20 September – Bournemouth v Newcastle (3pm)