Brad Friedel

[Kenneth]

I kind of agree with you Nicey but I also think that O'Neill made a valid argument that there was enough grey there with Reo-Coker coming back to allow the referee to not give a red. The letter of the law means that Friedel did prevent a goal scoring opportunity without getting the ball but the spirit of the game would suggest he deserved some leniency as he was trying to get out of the way and there was little he could do once Torres touched the ball.

Reo-Coker was behind Torres before he was felled and I don't think his presense made it less of a clear goal scoring opportunity. The spirit of the game is a dubious notion to call upon, it was a foul whatever way you look at it. As Nicey said, a clear red card and it's no wonder that the refs are so pissed off that it's been overturned.

[dww]

Reo-Coker was behind Torres before he was felled and I don't think his presense made it less of a clear goal scoring opportunity. The spirit of the game is a dubious notion to call upon, it was a foul whatever way you look at it. As Nicey said, a clear red card and it's no wonder that the refs are so pissed off that it's been overturned.

Did the FA or the referee rescind it? I agree it is a bit of a dubious notion but it is essentially the argument that prevents so many automatic yellow card offenses resulting in cards.

To my mind I think a sending off but no ban (which is in effect what will happen) is about the right punishment.

[MrsB]

The FA according to the Beeb:

Villa win Friedel red card appeal

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has had the red card he received in Sunday's defeat at Liverpool rescinded by the Football Association.

The visitors were 4-0 down when Friedel was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson for bringing down Fernando Torres.

However, the American argued he went for a 50-50 ball and had nowhere else to go after Torres got to it first.

The decision means Friedel will now be available for Villa's trip to Manchester United on Sunday 5 April.

[Kenneth]

Did the FA or the referee rescind it. i agree it is a bit of a dubious notion but it is essentially the argument that prevents so many automatic yellow card offenses resulting in cards.

To my mind I think a sending off but no ban (which is in effect what will happen) is about the right punishment.

But they rescinded the card. The FA overturned a red and you'd expect them only to do that where it's a pretty clear cut case.

[Nicey]

Do we know if Villa are expecting there RB from injury any time soon .. i went on the Physio table and they are only showing 2 injuries with Laursen as one ..

I think the fact it will be a new month and that we battered them could work in our favour ... United also missing 4 key players ...Villa are still a very very good side .. they have only lost to Spurs away and Man City away and Us Away recently which makes there situ look worse than it is ..

They need a reaction

[Craig_H]

Villa had Luke Young who could've played RB, but they played him at LB. Despite having Nicky Shorey on the bench, who is a LB.

Hmmm.

He's cracking up, he's cracking...O'Neill's cracking up...

[Nicey]

Reo Coker was a disaster .. but then again we ****ed them good and proper a few heads naturally dropped .. I think they are capable of getting something at OT .. glad we played them first and battered them and not the other way around

[Craig_H]

I think they could too.

It's always the way, when you get battered, your focus for the next game will be sharper, the manager is keen to tighten up and save some pride. They have the international break to get organised and they'll be totally focused on repairing their reputation after the walloping we gave them.

On top of all that, despite their recent poor form, they're a good side.

[dww]

Brad Friedel reprieve puzzles referees
Senior refeerees have written to the Football Association for an explanation after Brad Friedel's red card was rescinded.

By Telegraph staff
Last Updated: 2:59PM GMT 25 Mar 2009
Brad Friedel
Reprieved: Brad Friedel will not be suspended over his red card against Liverpool Photo: REUTERS

Friedel was given a straight red card during Aston Villa's 5-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday for bringing down Fernando Torres in the penalty area when the Spaniard was through on goal.

The FA upheld Villa's appeal and the American's red card was wiped out with reports emerging the decision had provoked a concerned response from senior referees.

The Premier League admitted the Professional Game Match Officials Board - the body that represents elite referees - has written to the FA but denied there was any "major row".

A Premier League spokesman said: "The PGMO have sought clarification from the FA on the reasons why the appeal panel found against the referee.

"Through a letter to the FA the PGMO just want to be sure to get all the detail on why the appeal panel found the way they did.

"Throughout the season you've got a number of different appeals that go forward and it's important the referees get to the bottom of precisely why the panel will have found in the way it did."

Friedel record streak of 182 straight games without injury, suspension or omission looked set to end after he was sent off. But after avoiding a ban he will now be available to boost Villa for the final eight matches of the season.

"I'm delighted for Brad and pleased with the decision overall," said Villa manager Martin O'Neill. "From Brad's viewpoint, I don't think he went out and made a deliberate attempt to upend him."

[Neil Young]

Brad Friedel reprieve puzzles referees
Senior refeerees have written to the Football Association for an explanation after Brad Friedel's red card was rescinded.

By Telegraph staff
Last Updated: 2:59PM GMT 25 Mar 2009
Brad Friedel
Reprieved: Brad Friedel will not be suspended over his red card against Liverpool Photo: REUTERS

Friedel was given a straight red card during Aston Villa's 5-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday for bringing down Fernando Torres in the penalty area when the Spaniard was through on goal.

The FA upheld Villa's appeal and the American's red card was wiped out with reports emerging the decision had provoked a concerned response from senior referees.

The Premier League admitted the Professional Game Match Officials Board - the body that represents elite referees - has written to the FA but denied there was any "major row".

A Premier League spokesman said: "The PGMO have sought clarification from the FA on the reasons why the appeal panel found against the referee.

"Through a letter to the FA the PGMO just want to be sure to get all the detail on why the appeal panel found the way they did.

"Throughout the season you've got a number of different appeals that go forward and it's important the referees get to the bottom of precisely why the panel will have found in the way it did."

Friedel record streak of 182 straight games without injury, suspension or omission looked set to end after he was sent off. But after avoiding a ban he will now be available to boost Villa for the final eight matches of the season.

"I'm delighted for Brad and pleased with the decision overall," said Villa manager Martin O'Neill. "From Brad's viewpoint, I don't think he went out and made a deliberate attempt to upend him."

It's about time they were on the receiving end. Lots of referees' decisions puzzle the rest of us.

[dww]

It's about time they were on the receiving end. Lots of referees' decisions puzzle the rest of us.

The thing is I do think that the FA needs to help them. The way that the appeals process is set up seems deliberately designed to undermine them. I happen to think that in this case that justice was done but I can see the points made above by Operation.

Consistency is easiest with rigid rules and the FA seem to move the goalposts with respect to what referees are supposed to do on an almost weekly basis. No wonder they struggle.

Although this shouldn't excuse Mr. Webb who as Dom so often points out is in fact a nob.

[Neil Young]

The thing is I do think that the FA needs to help them. The way that the appeals process is set up seems deliberately designed to undermine them. I happen to think that in this case that justice was done but I can see the points made above by Operation.

Consistency is easiest with rigid rules and the FA seem to move the goalposts with respect to what referees are supposed to do on an almost weekly basis. No wonder they struggle.

Although this shouldn't excuse Mr. Webb who as Dom so often points out is in fact a nob.

Do you mean the Premier League referee or our Reecie?

Either way Dom is right.

[Vermilion]

Good news this...young Brad always seems to have a good game against the scum, been a thorn in their side over the years...or am i imagining that, sure i remember some great games for Blackburn v Scum anyway.

He's Villas No1 so having him back will only add to Fergies gloom after thinking he'd miss their game, every little helps.