Football icons defend rising star Jhon Jader Durán

The Colombian forward's red card has become the main talking point from the festive fixture, with pundits, former referees, and Premier League legends all offering their opinions on the controversial incident.

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The play in question occurred in the 32nd minute when Durán appeared to accidentally step on Newcastle defender Fabian Schär. The referee, Anthony Taylor, deemed the contact to be dangerous play and showed Durán a straight red card.

However, many believe the decision was harsh. Both Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, two of the Premier League's most respected figures, have come out in defense of the young Colombian.

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Shearer, Newcastle's all-time leading goalscorer, suggested that Durán's actions were unintentional. "I think it's a harsh decision," said Shearer. "The referee guesses the reaction of the players. When Durán plants his left foot, his ankle twists as he lowers it, so it automatically pushes him to the left and he has to step on him again."

Shearer added, "I just thought he should have slowed down and taken a bit more time. I thought it was a bad decision."

Lineker echoed Shearer's sentiments, stating that Durán was simply unlucky. "We think Jhon Durán is very unlucky," said Lineker. "We've analyzed it well. I think it's a harsh decision. I think the referee guesses. When Durán plants his left foot, his ankle twists as he lowers it, so it automatically pushes him to the left and he has to step on him."

The former England captain highlighted the role of Durán's ankle in the incident, suggesting that it could be a key factor in Aston Villa's appeal against the red card.

"I think Durán's ankle is key to the appeal that Aston Villa are planning," Lineker added.

The incident has sparked a heated debate among football fans and pundits alike. Many have pointed out that the contact between Durán and Schär appeared to be minimal and that the red card was excessive. Others, however, have defended the referee's decision, arguing that Durán's actions were reckless and deserved punishment.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue, there is no doubt that the incident has overshadowed what was otherwise a thrilling Boxing Day fixture. Aston Villa went on to lose the match 3-0, with Newcastle scoring all three goals in the second half.

The red card has also raised questions about the consistency of refereeing decisions in the Premier League. In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny of the officials, with many fans and pundits feeling that decisions are often inconsistent and that VAR is not being used effectively.

As Aston Villa prepare to appeal the red card, it remains to be seen whether the FA will overturn the decision. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of the human element in football and the fact that even the most experienced referees can make mistakes.