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Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings' bizarre penalty decision explained despite Arsenal double standard

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings.
-Credit: (Image: Soccrates/Getty Images)


Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings had a Champions League debut to forget on Wednesday night - with a bizarre and costly error in their 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge.

Early in the second half, with the scores still level, Mings was left red-faced after conceding a penalty. The incident came when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played his goal-kick to Mings, who then picked it up, unknowing that the goal-kick had been taken by the World Cup winner.

The defender placed the ball back inside the six-yard box to allow Martinez to re-take his goal-kick. However, complaints from the Brugge players resulted in referee Tobias Stieler duly awarding the home team a penalty.

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Hans Vanaken converted from the penalty spot to end Villa's perfect start to the Champions League campaign. It comes in a frustrating manner for Emery after a clear mix-up between Mings and Martinez.

According to the rules, the infraction from the returning centre-back was a legitimate penalty offence, even after VAR checked the incident the referee's decision remained.

"It is completely strange, that mistake," Villa manager Emery said after. "It's the biggest mistake we've made in my career as a coach. This mistake is very strange, but it is not for Tyrone Mings or Emi Martinez. It has only happened one time in all my life. Tonight."

Last season, Arsenal defender Gabriel did the exact same thing against Bayern Munich after he didn't realise that David Raya had begun play with a short pass. However, the Brazilian avoided conceding a penalty then - which is naturally sparking up some debate on social media and beyond.