Dean Smith: Aston Villa manager charged by FA after red card

'Farcical' Man City goal frustrates Smith

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has been charged by the Football Association after he was sent off during Wednesday's defeat by Manchester City.

Smith, 49, allegedly used abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official after City's opening goal in the 2-0 Premier League defeat.

City midfielder Rodri ran back from an offside position to tackle Tyrone Mings and pass to goalscorer Bernardo Silva.

After the match Smith described the decision as "farcical" and "pathetic".

The Aston Villa manager has until Tuesday, 26 January to respond to the FA charge.

Asked about the incident at full-time, Smith said: "I thought they would go over to the VAR screen. I saw the incident and saw it was kicking off, so I asked the fourth officials did they get juggling balls for Christmas?"

By the letter of the law, City's goal was legitimate because Mings was deemed to have deliberately played the ball. Subsequently, Rodri was not considered to have gained an advantage.

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