ASTON VILLA MANAGER Paul Lambert hinted that his side will launch an appeal after claiming that Gabriel Agbonlahor was wrongfully dismissed against Manchester United.
Agbonlahor saw red just past the hour mark after a seemingly innocuous 50-50 challenge with his former Villa team-mate, Ashley Young, during Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Villa Park. The striker appeared to make minimal contact with Young’s shin but referee Lee Mason was quick to brandish a red card.
According to Lambert, Young admitted that he was at fault during the coming-together and not the Villa man, and the Scot is confident the decision will be revoked.
“If that’s a red card, you may as well just pack up because it won’t be a game of football,” the Scot told reporters.
“I’ve spoken to [Villa goalkeeper] Brad Guzan just [afterwards] and he tells me that Ashley Young has admitted that he fouled Gabby.
“There’s a good chance of [appealing] because, if people review that, especially when a player has admitted that he fouled Gabby, there’s no way. That’s not a red card. It’s a tackle where two lads went in for the ball and, in my own view, it was never a red card.”
The points were shared after Christian Benteke’s opener was cancelled out by Radamel Falcao.