‘Xavi Simons would be on my radar’ as Tottenham star earns reputation with referees vs Aston Villa
Xavi Simons is becoming a tricky customer for referees in the English game after what was spotted in Aston Villa’s win over Tottenham.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Craig Pawson should have cautioned the Tottenham star after just three minutes.
In the same few minutes, Villa’s injury-prone Boubacar Kamara was also forced off after a clash with Joao Palhinha, but the referee was unwilling to get his cards out on Saturday, 10 January.
Hackett was especially surprised by the first foul at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Simons only returning recently from suspension after a red-card challenge on Liverpool‘s Virgil van Dijk.
While some fans might enjoy his tenacity, it could go against him in England.
Xavi Simons would be on Keith Hackett’s radar
The 22-year-old already has two yellows and one red card in his Premier League career, with another caution in the Champions League, and Thomas Frank may have to have a word with the playmaker.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the player’s challenge, the former referee said: “Referees should prepare well for these games. He [Pawson] is a professional Premier League referee.
“He will be aware of the players whom he is going to officiate. Simons would certainly be on my radar if I were officiating.”
Craig Pawson completely loses grip of Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Emotions bubbled over in North London, and some of that is definitely down to the referee, who lost a grip on the game halfway through the second half.
Howard Webb should have kept an eye on the officiating at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with several decisions leaving many fans absolutely baffled by the full-time whistle.
Palhinha went into the book for a superb challenge on Morgan Rogers, with Pedro Porro making his feelings known from the Spurs bench, while Ollie Watkins also got away with a kick-out.
Then, when Watkins celebrated the win in front of one of the opposition players, everything kicked off, with the Villa star sparking a mass brawl on the pitch.
While some fans will appreciate the fight being shown, it was too little too late, getting knocked out of the FA Cup in yet another defeat in the 2025-26 campaign.