Villa fans suffering over the last few weeks owing to their club's hideous run of form were given some sweet, sweet relief with a 1-0 win over Derby County at Villa Park. But this being Villa, this was success tempered by profound eejitry, with the showcase this week being defender Leandro Bacuna.
With Villa 1-0 up and clinging on, tempers were running high, it all got too much for Bacuna, who disagreed with a decision made by one of the linesmen. In angry retort, he rushed up to the official...and butted him. It wasn't Zizou on Materazzi, and nor was it quite Pards on David Meyler, but there was definitely a bit of contact, which the linesman dealt with admirably. Bacuna was promptly sent-off, and faces a four match ban.
Here's the incident:
Leandro Bacuna saw red after headbutting the linesman. #AVFC still beat Derby 1-0. pic.twitter.com/LJHiJPTSCB
— Jack Grimse (@JackGrimse) February 25, 2017
And here's the incident from another angle, which shows the contact more clearly:
Here's another angle pic.twitter.com/b5En9yNEvC
— Jack Grimse (@JackGrimse) February 25, 2017
Steve Bruce, speaking afterward, criticised Bacuna...along with linesman, somewhat. These quotes are via the Express and Star
The disappointing thing for me was that I thought he was excellent in the match.
He’s overstepped the mark and done something stupid. Unfortunately that’s Leo. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit you’ve made a mistake.
The linesman has got the decision horribly wrong. He was only five yards away. It’s a throw-in to us.
So there’s a huge frustration. But he knows he’s overstepped the mark.
With Leo it’s all about himself. He tests the manager every day.
He’s always late. He’s in at 9.29am if we’re in at 9.30am. If it’s 1pm, he’s here at 12.59pm. He just makes a habit of being late. Maybe it’s just his nature.
But he’s reminded me again that he’s a good player. Of all the games we’ve played this year that we’ve won, he’s been in the team. He was arguably our best player and it’s a shame he’s gone and spoiled it for himself by doing something like that.
The victory nudges Villa slightly closer to safety, they began the day six points clear of the drop to League One: tonight they are eight points ahead of relegation-threatened Wigan.
