Reading striker Nelson Oliveira was left with blood pouring down his face from a nasty forehead gash after Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings stamped on him.
Oliveira was recovering in hospital on Saturday night after suffering a suspected broken nose following the incident, which appeared to be accidental.
Full back Mings, who was making his Villa debut after signing on loan from Bournemouth, was off balance as Portuguese forward Oliveira fell to the turf in front of him.
Mings' boot connected with the on-loan Norwich striker's face, immediately drawing blood, though the referee did not stop the action.
However, Mings realised what had happened and stopped play himself so Oliveira could receive treatment with blood gushing from two deep cuts to his face.
A photograph shared on social media after the match showed the extent of the damage suffered by Oliveira.
Mings later took to Twitter to apologise, writing: 'Absolutely loved wearing the claret and blue today and over the moon with the clean sheet! @AVFCOfficial.
'Feel awfully sorry to Oliveira, I hope he is ok.'
Mings was handed a five-game suspension for violent conduct back in March 2017 when he stamped on Zlatan Ibrahimovic while playing for Bournemouth against Manchester United.
Saturday's Championship match at the Madejski Stadium ended goalless.
