BBC Radio 5 Live’s Alistair Bruce-Ball and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton were left confused and stunned by Tyrone Mings against Club Brugges on Wednesday, after the defender was penalised for picking up Emiliano Martinez’s goal kick in the box and conceded a penalty.
“I really don’t know what Mings was thinking,” said Bruce-Ball on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. “It was an utterly bizarre thing to do and in the end it lost them a game.”
“I don’t know what he was thinking either!” Sutton added. “The referee has no choice in that situation because he scooped the ball up with his hand.
“Villa got what they deserved because the performance level wasn’t there. They looked a tired and jaded team that did not click in the final third.
“Had it not have been for Martinez then the scoreline could have been greater.
“There is work to do because although they have had a good start to the season, the levels of performance have not been there against Crystal Palace, Tottenham and now Club Brugge. That is the worry for Unai Emery and Aston Villa.”
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