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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was left vexed with referee Lee Mason’s controversial decision to send off Gabby Agbonlahor in the draw against Manchester United.

The Villa boss said that there was ‘nothing in’ the striker’s collision with Ashley Young and he also revealed that the ex-Villa man admitted it was HIMSELF who was in the wrong.

Pleased with the 1-1 draw but bitterly frustrated at not being able to really push on for a winner because of the mad disadvantage, Lambert said:

“If that’s a red card then you might as well pack up.

“I spoke to Brad Guzan after the game and he said that Young admitted that he had fouled Gabby.

“There’s a very good chance that I will appeal because when a player has admitted it... I could understand Kieran Richardson’s dismissal last week but Gabby’s was never a red card.”

Photos from Villa's draw against Manchester United

Agbonlahor chased a loose ball after taking a heavy touch and simply collided with Young.

Replays suggested that a foul should have been awarded in the other direction but Mason was having none of it.

Guzan’s claims also back-up that point and make it even harder for Lambert to take.

“It’s a tackle where two lads went for the ball,” he added,

“Guz brought it up to myself after the game and whether that helps (with the expected appeal) or not...it’s not a red card.

“He (Agbonlahor) is really down which you expect.

“I said to him there’s no way it’s a red card and that I will stick up for him, too.”

Lambert was pleased with the performance, though.

“I thought we were excellent considering everything that went against us.

“We had seven lads out through injury and suspension.

“Look at our bench - we have got a kindergarten on the bench. Everything went against us.

“But we played some good stuff.

“We have changed the way we played and they are enjoying the way they play.

“Christian scored a wonderful goal and it gave us something to hold onto.

“We could have won it in the end.”

Louis van Gaal was equally as frustrated at his side’s winning streak coming to an end.

“We dropped two points,” he said.

“It’s frustrating when you are the better team and you don’t win these type of games.

“When you want to be part of the title race you have to win these games.”

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