Bournemouth‘s Premier League clash at Aston Villa saw a lengthy break in play during the first half after a worrying clash of heads between two of the visiting team’s players.
Just minutes into the 2pm kick-off, Bournemouth duo Tyler Adams and Adam Smith laid stricken on the turf after vying for the same ball.
In a worry scene of events, players from both teams urgently called for the medical staff to run on to the pitch and come to the aid of the injured duo.
After treatment from club doctors and medical staff, both were eventually on their feet – sparking a heartwarming round of applause from the Villa Park crowd.
However, blood was pouring from Smith’s head and he was taken to the sideline for further treatment as Bournemouth continued the match with 10 men.
And shortly after further medical assessments it was decided the Cherries captain was unable to continue and was replaced by Alex Jimenez on 10 minutes.
Bournemouth players stand around after seeing Tyler Adams and Adam Smith clash heads
The duo were immediately treated by team doctors and paramedics at Villa Park on Sunday
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith had blood pouring from his head after the collision
Adams’ outlook was brighter although he appeared disorientated when he clamoured back to his feet. However, he was allowed to play on.
That decision was derided by some fans who took to social media, worried about Adams’ well-being.
Former USA midfielder Taylor Twellman was among those condemning it, writing on X: Having just seen the head clash with Tyler Adams and Adam Smith…… can the @premierleague explain to me how Adams is allowed to continue???? Anyone with 2 eyes can see he was/is disoriented. Smith is off and Adams isn’t…..make that make sense.’
‘Horrifying they let Tyler Adams continue,’ wrote one fan. ‘He should have been subbed off along with Adam Smith. That was a brutal head to head collision.’
Another fan wrote: ‘Why is Tyler Adams still on the pitch he looked like he had no idea where he was when he stood up.’
Speaking post-match Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola revealed Smith was concussed.
Asked about the 34-year-old’s condition after the game, Iraola told the Daily Echo: ‘I’ve been talking to him now.
‘Now he looks okay, he’s fine and he remembers everything. But in the moment I think it was a very hard knock.
Smith was taken off the pitch and received treatment on the side but was unable to continue
Aston Villa and Bournemouth players attend to the stricken duo before medical aid arrived
Despite appearing disorientated, Adams was allowed to continue the Premier League clash
Speaking post-match, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola confirmed Smith had a concussion
‘And the doctor straight away, it was bleeding a lot. But it was not about the blood, it was about the concussion and it was obviously the decision to make to sub him.
‘And I hope, because now that I’ve seen him, I’ve been talking to him, I think it’s going to be just this, but we’ll have to wait.’
And explaining why Adams was allowed to continue, the Spaniard explained: ‘Adam was worse than Tyler.
‘Live, they tell me Tyler is going to continue, Adam is almost impossible, but it was not 100 per cent, it has taken some time also to adjust a little bit.
‘But I think he has finished the game. So I hope that in his case it’s nothing there.’
Sunday was a disappointing day all around for Bournemouth who were thumped 4-0 at Aston Villa.
Emiliano Buendia put Villa in front moments before the half-hour mark with an exquisite free-kick from just outside the box.
Villa added a second when Morgan Rogers nutmegged Alex Jimenez and fed the ball to Amadou Onana, who arrowed a low shot into the corner of the net.
Bournemouth had a chance to halve the deficit but Antoine Semenyo saw his second-half penalty saved by Emiliano Martinez.
That boost saw Villa extend their lead through Ross Barkley with a glancing header on 77 minutes, before Donyell Malen completed the scoreline five minutes later.
