This is exactly the sort of thing you’d expect from a man they call ‘Jimmy Danger’
Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion’s Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday night was a typically heated affair which eventually saw the sending off of Baggies’ skipper Chris Brunt for two bookable offences.
Both Brunt and midfield partner Stefan Johansen were called for a number of fouls throughout the match as they attemped to physically intimidate Villa playmakers Jack Grealish and John McGinn.
Right on the stroke of half-time, a 50/50 challenge between the latter and Brunt resulted in the West Brom player – purposefully or not – stamping on the forearm of McGinn, and he was fortunate to escape the incident without at least a caution.
Unfortunately for Brunt, two reckless challenges in the second half on the same player saw him given his marching orders in the 80th minute – leaving Albion to play through the rest of the match and extra-time with ten men.
The Northern Irishman, who has spent 12 seasons at the club, was understandably quite emotional as he trudged off the field at the Hawthorns and appeared to struggle to hold back the tears as he did so.
He did not, however, received any sympathy from Aston Villa substitute Jonathan Kodjia, who took the opportunity to – very kindly – point his opponent in the direction of the tunnel as he walked past.
Kodjia showing Brunt the way to go… #avfc pic.twitter.com/YRtdaWEEGn
— So Solid Carew (@avfcmatches) May 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/VillaBradJ/status/1128404499352170497
Brunt knew what it meant for his team as soon as he walked but West Brom held out valiantly against the extra man for the remaining 40 minutes (including extra time).
In the end, however, Villa squeezed through 4-3 on penalties thanks to two saves from Jed Steer and Tammy Abraham rather fortuitously converting their fifth and final spot kick.
Leeds United and Derby County contest the other play-off semi-final tonight at Elland Road, with Leeds holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
Jonathan Kodjia, meanwhile, will presumably be working on his dab in preparation for the final on May 27 at Wembley.
