Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke sent off for kicking Ezri Konsa AFTER full-time in Aston Villa clash
Christian Benteke was shown a red card after Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Eagles striker was given his marching orders by referee Martin Atkinson after an off-the-ball incident with replays appearing to show he had kicked out at Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
Benteke, who has scored just two goals this season, had to be led away by teammates Jairo Riedewald and Andros Townsend.
The Belgium international’s season will be over if he serves a three-match ban with Palace facing tricky final games against Manchester United, Wolves and Tottenham.
The Eagles suffered a fifth successive defeat by Villa, who reignited their survival bid thanks to goals either side of half-time from Trezeguet.
Dean Smith’s side remain in the relegation zone, but are four points behind Watford and West Ham, who both won on Saturday and play each other on Friday.
Benteke missed a gilt-edged chance to half the deficit when he headed Townsend’s header off target from close range.
The match had fiery moments with Tyrone Mings, Wilfried Zaha and Mamadou Sakho all picking up bookings following a coming together in the first-half.
Speaking after the match, Palace boss Roy Hodgson said Benteke's actions were 'inexcusable'.
"It's inexcusable, basically, that's the bottom line," he told Sky Sports.
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"There was a lot of niggling going on on the field, we're close enough to be aware of that, but the thing is that is part and parcel of the game we play. It is quite often present in a lot of football matches.
"He's unhappy about that, of course, as we are, but unfortunately I can't excuse it, no matter how provoked he may have been, no matter what might have been said.
"You know that when you kick out at an opponent, and the referee sees it, you get sent off. That has been happening in football for as long as I can remember.
"All Christian can do, I guess, is apologise to his team-mates and accept his punishment."