Aston Villa have launched an appeal over Brad Friedel's red card in Sunday's 5-0 drubbing at Liverpool.
Midlands club launch appeal over Anfield dismissal
Aston Villa have launched an appeal over Brad Friedel's red card in Sunday's 5-0 Premier League drubbing at Liverpool.
The veteran American was dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson in the 64th minute of the Anfield thrashing after colliding with striker Fernando Torres as he raced through on goal.
Brad Guzan stepped off the bench to take over in goal as Nigel Reo-Coker was sacrificed but was unable to prevent Steven Gerrard from completing his hat-trick and the scoring from the resulting penalty.
Friedel is facing a one-match ban which would rule him out of the trip to Manchester United at the start of next month as Villa look to arrest their worrying slump in form.
Martin O'Neill's men have taken just one point from their last five matches and now trail Arsenal by three points in the race for fourth place.
The Midlands club have appealed to the Football Association to have Atkinson's decision overturned and expect to learn Friedel's fate in the next 24 hours.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Villa have lodged an appeal against goalkeeper Brad Friedel's sending off in the defeat at Liverpool.
"The club should learn tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday) whether the red card and one-match ban will be overturned."
