LONDON - Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has won an appeal to overturn his controversial red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The referee shows the red card to Aston Villa's English striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (R) during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Manchester United in Birmingham, England, on December 20, 2014
Agbonlahor was sent off in the second half of the Premier League clash at Villa Park following a challenge on United winger Ashley Young.
It was the first red card of Agbonlahor's career, but replays suggested referee Lee Mason had got the decision wrong and the Football Association's disciplinary department on Tuesday overturned the dismissal, meaning the forward is now available to face Swansea City on Boxing Day.
"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," Villa manager Paul Lambert said.
"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"Gabby is playing really well at the minute so we hoped it would be rescinded.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."
Meanwhile, Villa have been charged by the FA with "failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion" during the game and have until 1800GMT on December 30 to respond.