Watch: Moment of madness as Bacuna headbutts official in Aston Villa win v Derby
By Matt Farr
Aston Villa’s Leandro Bacuna was shown a straight red-card for a controversial incident involving a match official during their 1-0 win over Derby on Saturday.
The 25-year-old can be seen (below) squaring up to and headbutting the assistant referee after seeing a decision go against him with just minutes left on the clock, and was dismissed for the altercation by referee Andy Madley.
Bacuna was making only his first Championship start in his last six appearances for Aston Villa, and gave an impressive display prior to his reckless decision.
The versatile defender is a player who often wears his heart on his sleeve, having picked up seven yellow cards already this season. But this was the first red card of his Villa Park career.
An Aston Villa supporter posted a video of Bacuna’s moment of madness on Twitter.
Bacuna has made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Championship club this term, contributing one goal and one assist.
It was James Chester who proved to be the unlikely match-winner for Aston Villa, heading home Henri Lansbury’s corner mid-way through the first-half.
The home side secured a priceless three points, bringing to an end a miserable run of form that saw Aston Villa without a league win since the Boxing Day triumph over Burton Albion.
They do though, remain 17th in the league, still within eight points of the relegation zone.
In other Aston Villa news, here is how Steve Bruce’s players rated during the victory.
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