Unai Emery has revealed Nicolas Jackson was substituted at half-time against Nottingham Forest because he feared the striker could be sent off.
Jackson had already been booked during the first half, with Emery saying the referee warned him that the forward needed to be careful following further incidents.
The Villa boss subsequently decided not to take any risks and replaced Jackson at the interval.
“Nico Jackson had a yellow card and the referee was telling us that he needed to keep calm,” Emery explained after the 2-1 defeat.
“If not, he was close to having another yellow card. I know Jackson and he could have one action with his power being dangerous for another yellow.
“It was my decision.”
Meanwhile, Emery says Ian Maatsen’s injury looks a bad one, while Pau Torres has suffered a hamstring injury.
We need Goretzka and Ruggerie now then we’re already in trouble and it’s getting serious , get Manzambi and Mbaye on from the start with Alysson and Jackson , I think we have to forget Garnacho and Abraham and get Madjo fit and playing asap ,