While like others I don't in any way condone dangerous play, I can't agree that his challenge on Saturday was dangerous. It may have hacked Sherwood and a few Villa fans off but no one was hurt and from where I was watching no one was in any danger of getting hurt. The very fact that play went on for so long after the challenge should tell us all that the referee wasn't actually sure he had seen a foul at all, never mind a book able offence.
However, setting all that aside, Yac was in no way to blame for the defeat. He was the stand out performer in my book, and we all know that had Bobby or Saido converted first half chances we would have been out of sight by half time, never mind Given's save from Brunt's deflected shot and Lescott's miss too. We had more than enough play to have punished them.
Yacob is the only player we have who routinely breaks up opposition possession, we looked a poorer side when he wasn't playing and I can't say that him being absent on Saturday against Stoke fills me with any confidence.