Emi Martinez and Matty Cash respond to Marco Bizot’s Aston Villa apology
Emi Martinez has shown support for his Aston Villa teammate Marco Bizot after he released an emotional message on social media.
Bizot has largely played second fiddle to Martinez for Aston Villa this season, but was handed a 12th appearance of the campaign in the FA Cup against Newcastle last weekend.
The 34-year-old saw his side go ahead through Tammy Abraham’s first goal since returning to the club, but his moment of madness on the stroke of half-time changed the game entirely.
Bizot rushed out of his goal to close down Magpies attacker Harvey Barnes on the counter-attack and caught him with a high boot, which resulted in referee Chris Kavanagh pulling out a red card.
Martinez was forced to deputise for the rest of the match, but Newcastle made the most of the man advantage and hit back to win 3-1 and progress into the fifth round of the cup.
- Read more: Marco Bizot may have sealed Leon Bailey’s Aston Villa exit after what happened vs Newcastle
Marco Bizot sends Instagram message to Aston Villa fans after red card
Bizot will now serve a one-match ban for Villa in a game that Martinez would likely have started anyway, as they host Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday.
His sending off was a bigger blow to Unai Emery’s side during the game as it meant Leon Bailey had to make way, and they failed to take a shot on target throughout the second half, as a result.
The FA Cup looked like an ideal competition for Villa to target and end their 30-year trophy drought, but they are now realistically only in with a chance of lifting the Europa League this season.
Bizot took to Instagram on Wednesday morning to apologise to their supporters for his actions, insisting that he had needed some time to reflect on his mistake.
His message was reacted to by fellow keeper Martinez, who left three praising-hands emojis, as well as Matty Cash, who replied with two red heart emojis.
- Read more: Aston Villa told to appeal Marco Bizot red card as ex-refs chief rages at ‘stupid’ statement
Could Bizot’s red card be appealed by Villa?
While many believed that Bizot had initially been sent off for violent conduct, a later FA statement revealed that the official cause of his red card was for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Upon replay, numerous Villa defenders could be seen goal-side of Bizot when he challenged Barnes, and the club have been backed to appeal the card by former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, he said: “If they [the FA] stick to the idea that the goalkeeper was sent off for a Denial of a Goalscoring Opportunity, the club have an opportunity to appeal the decision.
“There are questions to ask about the criteria: the probability of the forward controlling the ball, distance from goal, direction of play and the position of defenders.
“I take the point that there are two attackers, but there is a defender. The thing that deserved a red card was serious foul play, not DOGSO.
“Whoever the statements are coming from needs to swat up on the laws before they make stupid statements. If they stick to their guns and the charge is DOGSO, appeal!”