Arsenal handed red card verdicts after Aston Villa defeat as Emi Martinez moment spotted

Arsenal were beaten by Aston Villa this past weekend with some fresh referee verdicts issued on some big talking points from the Premier League clash

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has issued a verdict on a red card incidents in Aston Villa vs Arsenal. During the Gunners' 2-1 defeat, both Amadou Onana and Bukayo Saka were penalised for strong challenges, with an accusation later aimed at Emiliano Martinez for trying to get the latter sent off.

Matty Cash opened the scoring with a fierce low drive but half-time substitute Leandro Trossard levelled matters seven minutes after coming on. Going for the win, Unai Emery threw Emiliano Buendia into the action for Cash and that paid dividends when he scored a 95th-minute winner.

Given the importance of the clash, there were a number of heated exchanges and strong challenges. Onana put in one of those on Mikel Merino, but no card was awarded with Gallagher of the belief the correct decision was made.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he said: "Not for me [if Onana's challenge was a possible red]. He slides in, but he's low."

Saka was one player that was shown a yellow card with that issued his way after he delayed the restart, though Martinez wanted two bookings to be shown with the other one being for his foul on Ian Maatsen.

However, Jay Bothroyd has clearly stated it was not worth two cautions and has instead had a go at Martinez for his reaction. He said: "The yellow card is for the reaction. I can understand why because he's toed the ball away, but he's got to keep his emotions in check."

"Martinez is trying to get him [Saka] sent off, which is poor from him. It's definitely not a second yellow. Saka is trying to avoid Martinez is anything, but Martinez is playing the game."

The defeat to Villa now means Arsenal have picked up just two points from a possible nine in their last three away league games. After the match, Arteta spoke about that being a disappointment, but stressed that his side will be looking to bounce back.

"That's the league," he admitted when presented with the scenario that Arsenal could have been well clear at the top.

"You go to Old Trafford, you go to St James' Park, you go to Chelsea, you come here, we've been in a lot of difficult grounds, and today the result could have been different. The reality is not, and that's the step that we have to make.

"We've been 18 games unbeaten and still we are there, very close to each other. And that's the level of the league and we know that, that's the opportunity that we have ahead of us. And that's it, now it's time to bounce back."

Arsenal's response to losing a game for the first time since early September will come in Belgium on Wednesday evening as they face Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Following that, the Gunners take on Wolves and Everton in the Premier League with a Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace before Christmas.

A busy fixture period continues after that with Arsenal hosting Brighton and Aston Villa before 2026 begins. Their first clash of the new year is away to Bournemouth with Liverpool heading to Emirates Stadium just a few days later.