Marco Bizot suspended for Aston Villa v Leeds after FA Cup red card | OneFootball

Aston Villa will be without back-up goalkeeper Marco Bizot against Leeds United on Saturday after his FA Cup red card. His absence is unlikely to alter plans, with first-choice Emi Martinez set to return for the Premier League.

Bizot was dismissed in first-half added time of the 3-1 fourth-round defeat to Newcastle for bringing down Jacob Murphy near halfway, which referee Chris Kavanagh deemed denial of a goalscoring chance. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, FA rules mean a one-match ban transfers between domestic competitions, so he misses Saturday at Villa Park.

Unai Emery praised Bizot’s focus and form, called the red card a difficult moment for him and framed it as a learning experience. Martinez is set to reclaim the gloves for league duty.

Villa also avoided further punishment when Lucas Digne was not sent off for a shin-high tackle on Murphy, with no VAR in operation in the fourth round despite the system being available at Villa Park. Alan Shearer described the challenge as terrible and a red card would have sidelined the left-back this weekend, but he can play.

Digne handled inside his own box too, yet referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant Nick Greenhalgh ruled the offence outside and without VAR there was no review.

Villa will assess Matty Cash later in the week after two games out with a minor knee issue, and he is aiming to return. Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are set to miss out again, while right-back cover Andres Garcia has had a hamstring problem.

Leeds concerns include Noah Okafor, who left Sunday’s FA Cup shootout win at Birmingham City holding his hamstring, while Daniel James missed out with a back issue. Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk also sat out with hip complaints, with Daniel Farke due to update later this week. Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned from illness over the weekend.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk