Aston Villa

Rosenior: Brunt stamp looks ‘awful’ in West Brom v Villa

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Image for Rosenior: Brunt stamp looks ‘awful’ in West Brom v Villa

Sky Sports pundit Liam Rosenior has defended Chris Brunt for his alleged stamp on John McGinn in what was a major flashpoint between West Brom and Aston Villa.

The Baggies midfielder landed his studs on the arm of the Villa ace, who was lying on the floor, just before half time, the officials choosing not to do anything about the incident.

Insisting that the replays perhaps make the action look worse than it actually is, Rosenior was left deciding it was an accident rather than anything that meant the Scottish Villan any sort of harm.

He told Sky Sports’ coverage of the game (14/05, 20:55): “I’m not so sure. I think it’s one of those that in slow motion looks worse than it is. I’ve been in those situations.

“As he puts his foot up, it looks awful, but McGinn’s knee actually knocks Brunt’s leg as he’s putting his foot down. As he steps over him his knee moves him. I don’t think he means that. I hope he doesn’t.”

Opinion

Oh Brunt you lucky, lucky man. We have seen red cards given for a lot less and it did not look good either live or on the replay. He and Rosenior might claim that he had no option but to plant his foot onto McGinn’s forearm but what is missed out of the pundit’s appraisal is that Brunt did not need to put his leg over the Villa man in the first place. This could have been a potential game changer both for Brunt, who could have been sent off, and McGinn, who could have had his arm broken. Regardless of whether he meant it or not, it was dangerous from the West Brom man and he was seriously fortunate to escape without a warning, let alone a potential sending off. With VAR coming into the Premier League next season, it will be interesting to see what the officials decide on such incidents. As Rosenior says, the slow motion replays actually make it look a lot worse – could that impact whether Brunt would have been sent off? You bet it will.

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