Jamie Redknapp insists that John Stones deserved his red card against Aston Villa

Jamie Redknapp believes that John Stones was deserving of his red card against Aston Villa on Wednesday night after his ‘nasty’ challenge on Jacob Ramsey.

Manchester City star Stones had an evening to forget, with the England defender allowing Villa to open the scoring after just 20 seconds through John McGinn under the watchful eye of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

Goals from Phil Foden and Rodri put City in front, but Pep Guardiola’s side’s task was made all the more difficult before the break after Stones was given his marching orders by Peter Bankes.

Jamie Redknapp insists that Man City defender John Stones was deserving of his red card

The 26-year-old committed a late challenge on Aston Villa youngster Jacob Ramsey 

The referee was advised to review a late tackle by Stones on Villa youngster Ramsey, with the Englishman making contact just below the knee after mistiming a challenge.

Upon consultation with the pitchside monitor, Bankes overturned his initial yellow card to brandish a red card in Stones’ direction, to the fury of Guardiola and the visitors.

But Redknapp insisted that the red card was justified, viewing the challenge as ‘out of control’ and ‘reckless’.

After consulting VAR, referee Peter Bankes overturned his initial yellow card for a red 

And Sky Sports pundit Redknapp said the decision to punish the ‘nasty’ tackle was correct

‘It’s not been a 45 minutes to remember for John Stones,’ the Sky Sports pundit said. 

‘It’s a poor piece of play for the first goal and that is a rash decision. Poor decision. It is high, it is reckless, it is out of control and I can see exactly why he has been sent off. 

‘He is late. It is a nasty tackle and there is not a lot to be said there, it is a red card.’

However, Villa boss Dean Smith disagreed with the pundit, arguing that slow motion replays portray match incidents in a negative light for those under scrutiny. 

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith disagreed with the decision to send Stones off, despite the call working in his side’s favour

Villa were also reduced to 10 men in the second half at Matty Cash picked up a second yellow

‘I thought their red card was a yellow as well. You can slow anything down and it is right in front of me, he has gone for the ball and caught the man you see that all the time,’ he said. 

Villa’s one-man advantage did not last long with defender Matty Cash also sent for an early bath after picking up a second yellow card following two fouls on Foden in a matter of minutes early in the second half. 

Leeds United were on the receiving end of a similar decision two weeks ago against Man City as Liam Cooper was dismissed before half time thanks to a VAR intervention following a late challenge on Gabriel Jesus.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side ran out 2-1 winners at the Etihad Stadium after a dramatic late winner from Stuart Dallas.   

Stones had a night to forget in front of England boss Gareth Southgate at Villa Park