Why Jhon Duran was sent off for Al Nassr as £64m former Aston Villa star shown bizarre red card
Jhon Duran made the move from Aston Villa to Al Nassr earlier this month
Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran was shown a red card on just his fourth appearance for Al Nassr - as the Saudi Pro League side suffered just a third loss of the season.
The 21-year-old Colombia international was sent off for violent conduct in second-half stoppage time after he clashed with an opposition defender just minutes after Gini Wijnaldum scored a winner for Al Ettifaq.
Duran, who started the game alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, watched his side take the lead early in the second half at Al-Awwal Park through Ayman Yahya.
However, former Newcastle and Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum levelled the score for his side before Al Nassr regained the lead through Mohammed Al Fatil.
But Ettifaq rallied again late in the half and after Al Fatil scored at the wrong end, Wijnaldum was on hand to score an 89th-minute for his side.
For Duran, it was the first defeat he has suffered with Al Nassr since joining the Saudi Pro League powerhouses in a £64m deal from Aston Villa last month.
The former Chicago Fire forward has scored four goals in as many games for Al Nassr, who sit fourth in the table and three points off the AFC Champions League qualification places.
When asked about Duran's departure last month, Villa boss Unai Emery said: "I can be disappointed a little bit. My thoughts always his improvement here can give him the opportunity to play as well. Maybe in Europe with some of the best teams in the world.
"But Saudi Arabia, they are improving a lot. They are paying well. They are increasing the level of the league. I accept some players leave for there. Personally, I worked with him, trying to involve him here. Each player is different, different culture, different education.
"It’s difficult to get the same feeling from different players. I accept it. I can be disappointed myself. I have challenges with the players who are here with us. Hopefully, in two or three days’ time we can enjoy two or three more players with us."
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