Appeals launched for Knight and Cole as Ballack insists: I did not dive to get a penalty

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• More Aston Villa news

The centre-half was sent off after referee Phil Dowd awarded a penalty against him for a foul on Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack during the 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Key moment: Knight saw red after this clash with the falling Ballack

"Villa have officially appealed against Zat Knight's debatable red card at Chelsea yesterday," said a statement on the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk.

" Martin O'Neill was incensed by the decision and after reviewing the incident again this morning has decided to lodge a formal appeal in the hope that Knight can avoid a three-match ban."

As expected, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has appealed against the red card he received. The former Arsenal star walked for handball on the line after a linesman intervened.

Blues boss Avram Grant said: "I am sure the referee-was wrong. I have seen it on television-and it was not a penalty or a red card."

Meanwhile Ballack has angrily dismissed the allegation he took a dive.

The German insists he is no cheat and that there was contact from Knight.

Ballack became the second Chelsea player in a week to be accused of conning an official after Peter Crouch suggested John Obi Mikel exaggerated his injury from the Liverpool striker's horrendous red card tackle in the Carling Cup.

But Ballack said: "For me there is no discussion about this. I had the ball and two guys, not just one, came and one pushed me. It was a clear penalty."

Of the Ballack penalty, Villa boss O'Neill said: "I think it was very dubious. I think the player dived. I didn't even see any contact and I have seen it a couple of times.

"It was a big moment in the match. The big decisions went against us and I am disappointed."

The penalty came when Chelsea were losing to two Shaun Maloney goals and was converted by Andriy Shevchenko.

The Ukrainian doubled his tally in the second half before Alex and then Villa's Martin Laursen scored to make it 3-3.

Ballack put Chelsea ahead late on but Gareth Barry converted from the spot after Cole's dismissal.

Cole was the second Chelsea player to be sent off yesterday following Ricardo Carvahlo's 80th minute dismissal for a two-footed-lunge on Gabriel Agbonlahor. Both players face bans which will leave Chelsea desperately short of defenders over the New Year period.