Dean Smith confident FA will rescind Aston Villa's Anwar El Ghazi’s red card

The 23-year-old is facing a three-game ban after being shown a straight red card for an altercation with Patrick Bamford during the melee which followed Mateusz Klich’s controversial opener at Elland Road.

But subsequent TV replays showed El Ghazi made only minimal, if any, contact with the Leeds striker and boss Smith quickly confirmed Villa would appeal.

He said: “I would be amazed if he is missing three games because I have watched the footage back and there is nothing to it. He doesn’t touch him.

“We will certainly be appealing that. I am not a betting man, but if I was I am certain he will be available for the next three games.”

Smith confirmed John McGinn is now unlikely to start Sunday’s final Championship fixture against Norwich, after the midfielder picked up his 14th yellow card of the season.

Villa will also assess Jonathan Kodjia after the striker went off with an injured foot at Elland Road.

Kodjia was on the ground when Leeds played on and Klich scored. Home boss Marcelo Bielsa subsequently instructed his players to let Albert Adomah score an equaliser for the visitors. Villa defender Axel Tuanzebe revealed Villa only found out they were going to be allowed to score 10 seconds before the restart.

He said: “I just got information pitch-side, saying they’re going to let us score the goal. It’s just good sportsmanship from their team.

“They didn’t have to let us score, but I think they portrayed good sportsmanship by letting us score the goal. Respect to them.”

Tuanzebe added: “Everyone stopped playing (for their goal). I’m disappointed in myself that I stopped playing,”

“As a defender you have to be pessimistic and seek out danger. We all expected them to kick the ball out, they didn’t do so, but they didn’t have to.”