Gary O’Neil has given his reaction to Mario Lemina’s sending off for Wolves against Aston Villa.
Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw with Villa at Molineux today.
Wolves actually took the lead through Hwang Hee-chan, after more brilliant work by Pedro Neto.
That should have put Wolves in a really good position.
But just a minute later, Pau Torres levelled for the visitors.
Given the form of Villa this season, this surely has to be seen as a decent result for Wolves, despite losing their lead instantly. To have taken four points from games with Manchester City and Villa is really solid.
There was a bit of a sour note for Wolves today though, with Mario Lemina picking up a second booking at the end of the game, and O’Neil spoke about that sending off after the game…
Gary O’Neil reacts to Mario Lemina’s sending off against Villa
O’Neil said (BBC Sport Live): “I don’t remember the first booking. The second one, you expect a yellow. I feel for Mario a bit. We had pressed unnecessarily and left him in a spot he shouldn’t be in.
“He has a decision to make on whether he lets the guy run through or tries to stop the attack. Disappointed that we lose him. Up to that point, I thought the lads were very good. Still loads of room for improvement. Villa are a good side and we were a match at least.”
Lemina will now miss the trip to Bournemouth after the international break.
Lemina absence a real blow
Lemina had been walking a tightrope coming into the game with Villa.
And now he will be suspended for Bournemouth away which is not ideal.
Lemina has been a brilliant signing since his arrival in January from Nice, having brought so much needed steel and tenacity.
His absence will hand Boubacar Traore a chance to shine. O’Neil has praised the Malian a few times and seems to like him.
You would imagine it’ll be him that replaces the Gabon international.