SHOCKED fans can’t believe Ollie Watkins escaped a red card after an “elbow” left Lille’s Ismaily with a gruesome forehead swelling.
The defender was cleared to carry on playing despite an egg-sized bruise – only to see Watkins’ Aston Villa reach the Europa Conference League last four after a controversial penalty shootout.
Ismaily was able to continue despite this incredible swelling
GettyMany viewers were surprised Ollie Watkins was only booked[/caption]
One viewer reacted: “Straight elbow from Watkins – course he isn’t sent off.”
Another said: “Watkins just changed the shape of a man’s head???”
Other responses included “ridiculous” …”that’s wild”… and “that looks scary”.
England striker Watkins was only booked over the incident.
And in the end Villa sneaked through to their first major European semi-final since 1982 after a dramatic night in France.
Unai Emery’s men, 2-0 up from the first leg in the Midlands, fell 2-0 behind in the return as Yusuf Yazici and Benjamin Andre struck in each half.
But Matty Cash pounced for an aggregate leveller on 87 minutes.
And Villa won a controversial shootout 4-3, with Emi Martinez the hero with two spot-kick saves but almost a villain via his second yellow card.
Booked for time-wasting during the match itself, the Argentinian keeper was cautioned again for an apparent gesture at home supporters.
But he was able to stay on – as his first yellow card did not count once the tie went to a shootout.
Nonetheless, Watkins avoiding a sending-off remained another key moment for many fans.
And some were stunned Ismaily was able to continue.
“He should have been taken off immediately,” one responded.
“Jeez hope he’s good,” said another.
And a few called his injury an “egg” – as Lille were left with a headache following villa’s triumph.