Ashley Williams gave Bristol City a mountain to climb in their Championship encounter against Brentford when he was sent off after just 13 minutes at Ashton Gate with a straight red card.
The veteran Wales defender cleaned out Ollie Watkins with a clear foul, as the Bees forward was breaking through the middle onto a through-ball and was immediately given his marching orders for the fifth red card of his career.
He had been booked just a minute earlier after clashing with Watkins and squaring up 1v1, and there was some feeling that the foul was a means of retribution as he lost and instead engaged in a personal battle.
For such an experienced and composed player it was extremely out-of-character, given the almost zen-like assurance he has brought to the City backline since arriving on a free transfer at the end of August.
But City will be without the centre-back for the next three games and Robins fans made their feelings known on social media as Williams' dismissal was soon followed by a second goal conceded at BS3 for a .
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