Tuesday 23 December 2014 19:28, UK
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has had the red card he received against Manchester United rescinded.
The 28-year-old was dismissed during the 1-1 draw at Villa Park on Saturday for a challenge on Ashley Young.
Villa appealed the decision on Monday morning, and the verdict by the Football Association means Agbonlahor will be available for selection against Swansea on Boxing Day.
An independent regulatory commission reviewed video footage of the incident and the FA overturned referee Lee Mason’s decision.
The judgement was welcomed by Villa boss Paul Lambert, who is already without Kieran Richardson, Philippe Senderos and Ashley Westwood for the match at the Liberty Stadium.
“It’s great news for us and I said at the time I didn’t think it was a red card,” Lambert said. “Common sense has prevailed and it’s especially pleasing because Gabby is playing really well at the moment.
“We’re still missing a few players and we don’t want to lose another of our big players. Gabby was shocked by it and down but I told him not to worry because it was the wrong decision.”
Meanwhile, the FA has charged Villa with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 65th minute in the same fixture.
The club has until 6pm on December 30 to respond to the charge.
