Wednesday 3 February 2016 16:45, UK
Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayew has issued an apology after he was needlessly sent off at West Ham on Tuesday night.
The 24-year-old Ghana international was red carded in just the 17th-minute at Upton Park, having recklessly thrown an arm out at Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell in an off-the-ball incident.
Being reduced to 10 men so early on was the last thing the Premier League's bottom side needed and, although they fought hard, second-half goals from Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate consigned them to a 2-0 defeat.
Villa are now six points adrift at the bottom of the table and Ayew took to social media on Wednesday to express his remorse for his moment of madness.
Writing on Instagram, he said: "Looking back at my impulsive actions last night I sincerely apologise to the supporters of Aston Villa, my teammates, AVFC staff and my coach.
"I take full responsibility for my actions. I don't wish to dwell on my mistake but rather look forward to playing again to prove myself to be true to claret and blue, as I have done from the moment I joined AVFC. I do not intend to slow down now.
"To my fans and everyone I offended, I ask that you join me in moving on from this unfortunate situation as I continue to focus on my career and the success of the team.
"We fight till the end. Up The Villa!"
Villa boss Remi Garde looked unhappy with Ayew as the player walked off the pitch but refused to publicly condemn him after the match.
"I will only answer one question on Jordan," said Garde. "It will remain private between him and me.
"I'm not going to speak any more about this incident. I don't need to express any more of my feelings. You can guess Jordan's feelings."
Ayew will now have to serve a three-match suspension and Villa are already without forwards Rudy Gestede and Libor Kozak due to injury.
Having won just two Premier League games all season, Garde's side are 10 points adrift of safety with 14 matches left to play.
However, they get a chance to boost their desperate cause when they host 17th-placed Norwich on Saturday.
