Lambert: Justice has been done

Paul Lambert insists justice has been done after Aston Villa won their appeal against Gabriel Agbonlahor’s red card.

Lambert: Justice has been done

Paul Lambert insists justice has been done after Aston Villa won their appeal against Gabriel Agbonlahor’s red card.

The forward was sent off for the first time in his career in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Agbonlahor was involved in a 50-50 challenge with former Villa team-mate Ashley Young and was dismissed by referee Lee Mason.

But Villa won their appeal after a Football Association Regulatory Commission upheld the claim of wrongful dismissal and he is available for Boxing Day’s trip to Swansea.

Villa boss Lambert said: “It is great for us.

“I said at the time I didn’t think it was a red card and everyone’s assumption was the same.

“Ex-referees have come out and said it wasn’t.

“So your own common sense told you it wasn’t a red card.

“Gabby is playing really well at the minute so we hoped it would be rescinded.

“We are still without a few – Westy (Ashley Westwood), Nathan (Baker), (Philippe) Senderos and (Kieran) Richardson – so we didn’t want another one out. Not one of your big players.”

But Villa have been charged with ’failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion’ by the FA after their protests following Agbonlahor’s red card and have until 6pm on December 30 to respond.

Tom Cleverley missed the game through suspension, although the United loanee was ineligible after his fifth caution of the season in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom.

He is back for the game at the Liberty Stadium and has impressed after signing on loan in the summer and Villa have an option to buy him in January.

And Lambert confirmed he will talk to the England international about his future.

“I have the option to buy in January but I have got him for a season long loan anyway. I would definitely try but a lot will depend on finances,” he said.

“I will have a discussion with Tom and sit with him and see what he thinks. He is still a Manchester United player.

“But the great thing about Tom Cleverley is he has been brilliant here. His enthusiasm for the game and the way he plays the game is great.

“The way he is around the place is great. I am pretty sure he loves his football here.

“He has been a credit to himself and Manchester United with the way he has conducted himself.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Republic of Ireland Training Session and Media Conference Ogbene ruled out for 'few weeks'
Chelsea v Leicester City - Barclays Women's Super League - Kingsmeadow Willie Kirk sacked as Leicester boss after position became ‘untenable’
St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne - SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Damien Duff: 'The leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the league itself'
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited