João Gomes has been sent off on his Aston Villa Premier League debut as Unai Emery’s side endured a disastrous first half against Brighton. The £38million summer signing was shown a straight red card shortly before the interval with Villa already trailing 4-0 at the Amex Stadium.
Gomes had been a surprise inclusion in Emery’s starting XI after injury had placed his availability for the opening weekend in doubt.
His return quickly turned into a nightmare.
Villa conceded four times inside the opening 31 minutes before Gomes was dismissed around the 40-minute mark.
João Gomes sees red as Aston Villa collapse
Gomes lost possession before becoming involved with Brighton forward Georginio Rutter.
The Brazilian then kicked out at Rutter, with the incident resulting in his dismissal following a VAR review.
The Sun reported that Gomes was shown the red card after kicking out at the Brighton attacker.
It completed an extraordinary first Premier League half as a Villa player for a midfielder signed from Wolves for a package worth around £38million this summer.
Read Aston Villa previously examined what Gomes’ aggressive ball-winning style would bring to Emery’s midfield, including the need for the 25-year-old to control some of those aggressive instincts.
Villa completed the permanent signing of Gomes in July following Youri Tielemans’ departure to Manchester United.
His competitive Villa career could hardly have started in more difficult circumstances.
Brighton were already four goals ahead before the dismissal, leaving Emery’s side to play the remainder of their Premier League opener with 10 men.
The result now threatens to provide a brutal first examination of Villa’s heavily rebuilt squad following a summer of major arrivals and departures.
Gomes’ dismissal adds another problem for Emery, although the precise disciplinary consequences will depend on how the offence is officially recorded.
