Former England striker Alan Shearer has argued that Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne should have been sent off for a high challenge on Newcastle's Jacob Murphy during their recent Premier League clash. The incident sparked debate among football pundits, with Shearer, Wayne Rooney, and Dion Dublin discussing the tackle's severity on BBC Sport.

Digne's challenge on Murphy drew attention for its dangerous nature, with the ball clearly won but the follow-through catching the Newcastle winger at head height. While referee Darren England only awarded a yellow card, the pundits agreed the tackle warranted stronger punishment given the potential for serious injury. The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about player safety and consistency in refereeing decisions.

The debate comes as part of broader conversations about tackling standards in the Premier League. Murphy escaped serious injury, but the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly dangerous challenges can escalate. With VAR technology available, questions remain about whether additional scrutiny should have been applied to such a high-risk challenge.