Ajax was painfully eliminated from the Conference League by Aston Villa (4-0) on Thursday evening, breaking a less than honorable club record. Sivert Mannsverk received his second yellow card and therefore red in the 66th minute. It was Ajax's fifth red card in a European context this season. The club never received red cards in a European season again.

Ajax went down without a chance in England. After a draw in the first match with Aston Villa (0-0), Ajax traveled to Birmingham with hope. However, the Eredivisie player was absolutely no match for Aston Villa. The English won 4-0 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby.

Mannsverk picked up a yellow card in the fourteenth minute. The Norwegian midfielder was carded for a strong, fairly high tackle on Diaby's foot. After more than an hour of play, Mannsverk held on to Duran, forcing him to take a shower early.

In the studio of ESPN there is discussion about the red card. Presenter Jan Joost van Gangelen wonders whether Mannsverk should not have been replaced. Marciano Vink thinks that's too easy. “If a trainer has to replace every player with a yellow card… There are also players who can finish a match with a yellow card,” said Vink.

Kenneth Perez joins Vink. “I agree with Marciano. If you have to change every time you get yellow, you will no longer have any players left.”

Vink blames Mannsverk more. “Why would you hang on to Duran here if you already have a yellow card in your pocket?” Vink wonders. Villa's substitute striker threatened to rush at the Ajax goalkeeper without intervention from Mannsverk. “A good player won't hold on here if he knows he's already in the danger zone in terms of cards.”

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