Nicolas Jackson Says Botman Nearly Broke His Leg in Yellow Card Challenge

• Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson says Newcastle defender Sven Botman “nearly broke my leg” with a challenge that earned only a yellow card.
• VAR checked the tackle for serious foul play but found no clear and obvious error, so Botman stayed on the pitch.
• Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said at half-time that the challenge was dangerous and that VAR was in trouble if it could not see a red card.

Jackson Wants a Red Card Next Time

Nicolas Jackson did not hide his view of the tackle that left him hurt at St James’ Park. Speaking to Sky Sports after Aston Villa’s 1-0 win at Newcastle, the striker said the referee had judged the challenge a yellow card, but “it was so high”.

“Hopefully next time it is a red card,” Jackson said. “I nearly broke my leg, but it’s fine. It’s part of football.”

The challenge came early in the first half of Saturday Night Football. Joelinton lost control of the ball and tackled Johan Manzambi, the ball ran on, and Sven Botman then challenged Jackson. The referee booked both Newcastle players.

VAR Checks, Then Backs the Referee

VAR reviewed the Botman challenge for serious foul play and found no clear and obvious error, so the yellow card stood and Botman stayed on the pitch.

The decision split opinion on the Sky Sports panel. Redknapp called the challenge dangerous at half-time and said that if VAR could not see a red card there, the officials were in trouble.

Stephen Warnock, who covered the game, thought Botman’s challenge looked rash and forceful and said it was a heavy tackle. He added that five or ten years ago it would not even have been a yellow card, according to The Mag.

Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle saw it differently. He said the incident happened quickly, that the referee’s decision was clear and that the officials had checked the foul with VAR.

A Reunion That Is Working for Jackson

Jackson joined Villa from Chelsea in the summer in a deal that could reach £65m, and he has settled quickly. The Senegal international has scored in back-to-back Premier League games and scored twice in Villa’s 6-0 Champions League win over Fenerbahce on Wednesday, the club’s biggest European win.

He worked under Unai Emery at Villarreal, and he spoke warmly about the reunion on Saturday. “He’s an amazing coach,” Jackson said. “I’m very happy to be back with him and hopefully we can challenge.”

Of the trip to Tyneside, Jackson said: “It was a difficult game. St James’ Park is always very difficult to play in. Very happy we got the three points and very happy to win here.”

What Villa Said After the Win

Johan Manzambi scored the only goal against the club that had verbally agreed a fee for him before Villa made a late move. The 21-year-old joined from Freiburg for £59.5m and had two goals and two assists in his first five appearances before the trip to Newcastle.

Captain Tyrone Mings called it “a perfect away Premier League performance” and said the team is “slowly grinding” its way to cohesion, with everybody buying in to what the manager wants.

Emery said the victory was “fantastic” and spoke of the improvement he sees in how his team competes. His focus now turns to Wednesday’s Champions League game and then Manchester City at home on Saturday.

For Jackson, the night ended with three points, a clean bill of health in his own words, and a clear opinion on what the officials should have done about the tackle.