Former referee casts verdict on Ezri Konsa red card vs Leeds as Jacob Ramsey lauded with praise

Ex-Premier League referee Peter Walton has agreed with Jarred Gillett’s decision to send off Ezri Konsa in Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Wednesday.

The defender received a second yellow in the 87th-minute for catching Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier during a corner.

Speaking on BT Sport after the game, Walton said he agreed with verdict from Gillett.

He said: “No alternative at all. If you remember his first yellow card was for a foul on James which was a nailed-on yellow.

“The second one there was just a bit of frustration. The elbow was placed too high, giving Jarred Gillet the opportunity to issue the second yellow card, justified.”

In the first-half, Jacob Ramsey bagged a double, both set up by Philippe Coutinho who had initially equalised for the hosts.

Ramsey, 20, is now Villa ’s Premier League joint top scorer alongside Ollie Watson with five goals and has seen a marked uptick in form since the arrival of Steven Gerrard.

Among those to praise him was Joe Cole, who said: “A star is born. He is poetry in motion when you watch him run; he’s powerful, strong, positive.

“Jacob Ramsey catches the eye, he’s so athletic. It’s the first time I’ve watched him live for 90 minutes.

“So impressed with the timing of his runs and his intelligence as well - he’s a sponge, he wants to learn, he wants to take it all in. He really caught the eye tonight.”

Fellow pundit Rio Ferdinand also sung the praises of Ramsey, describing both of his finishes as “sublime.”

After notching his first goal of the night, former Leeds Women forward Lucy Ward, who was on co-commentary with BT Sport, commented: "We know all about Jacob Ramsey and his potential is sky high.

“He gets on his bike because he knows Coutinho will find him. He keeps