Referee Explains Why Arsenal Star Avoided Red Card Against Aston Villa
Referee Jarred Gillett has explained why Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis was not shown a second yellow card during Monday night’s clash with Aston Villa.
Tzolis had already been booked earlier in the match for stopping an opposition attack. Later in the first half, he appeared to commit another foul while trying to halt a Villa counter-attack, leading to questions over whether he should have been sent off.
However, Gillett decided against giving him another caution after allowing play to continue.
The referee later explained his decision to Villa captain John McGinn during a conversation captured by Sky Sports’ referee camera.
Gillett told McGinn that the foul itself was not serious enough for a yellow card because he had played advantage and Villa had gone on to create a promising opportunity.
McGinn accepted the explanation, agreeing that the referee had made the right call by allowing the attack to continue.
Despite escaping a second yellow, Tzolis was substituted at half-time, with Mikel Arteta bringing on Eberechi Eze.
Arsenal eventually secured a 1-0 victory through Bukayo Saka, continuing their strong start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign after also beating Coventry City 3-0 on the opening weekend.
