JOHN STONES is banned from Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final against Spurs after being sent off against Aston Villa.
Ref Peter Bankes had originally shown Manchester City’s England defender a yellow card for his high challenge on Jacob Ramsey.
But after VAR intervention, Bankes changed it to a red – Stones’ first in the Prem after 182 games.
Stones’ manic moment came just after City had taken the lead in the Premier League clash.
And Pep Guardiola blew his top on the touchline, later claiming Stones was harshly treated.
Speaking after City’s 2-1 victory, the Spaniard said: “He was late but the intention was absolutely not there to kick him.
“But when you see it back on VAR in slow motion it must be so difficult to interpret.
“It was a tough, tough moment for us because there was a lot of minutes with 10 against 11 when we were playing for the Premier League but we reacted so well.
“Aymeric Laporte has been very good but I have five great defenders and they all have to be ready for the Carabao Cup, the league and the Champions’ League.”
Stones is now set to land a three-game ban, with the first of that suspension the showpiece on Sunday against Spurs.
He will then miss the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace and the home clash with Chelsea.
The red card capped a nightmare evening for Stones.
He was caught napping after just 20 seconds when Villa took a surprise lead through John McGinn.
Fortunately for Stones, champions-elect City hit back with first-half goals from Phil Foden and Rodri to move 11 points clear at the top.
While Villa were also reduced to 10 men when Matty Cash was dismissed for a second caution after fouling Foden.
City are now three wins from reclaiming their Premier League crown and need eight points from their remaining five games to seal their third title in four years.
“It is close,” said Guardiola. “This has been the most difficult season – for many reasons – of our lives.
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“But we have shown incredible consistency and now we need to win three games to be champions.”
Dean Smith believes the title is already in the bag for City and said: “I’d be amazed if it’s not their title now. For 30 minutes tonight they were unbelievable – as good as I’ve seen them.
“That puts them 11 points clear of Manchester United and that’s too much of a mountain to climb. I told Pep Phil Foden looked like he was on a different planet.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
