Carvalho apologizes to Agbonlahor

Dec 27, 2007 - 4:33 PM By Duncan Bech Special to PA SportsTicker

LONDON (Ticker) -- Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has apologized for his vicious two-footed challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor in Boxing Day's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

Carvalho was given a red card by referee Phil Dowd for the 80th minute horror-tackle that could have inflicted serious injury on Agbonlahor.

"It was never my intention to hurt Gabriel Agbonlahor with the tackle," Carvalho said in a statement Thursday. "I was going for the ball and I don't want people to think that I tried to hurt another player.

"I didn't see him after the game to apologize, but I asked for a message to be passed on to him."

Chelsea boss Avram Grant backed Carvalho's claim that there was no malice involved in the incident.

"For me, what's important is that Carvalho did not intend to hurt the player - I didn't see any intention," Grant said. "The red card was the decision of the referee and I respect it. I will look at the incident again."

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill maintained the sending off was fully justified.

"It was straightforward red card and Gabriel was the last man, even though he had 40-odd yards to go," he said.

Carvalho will miss matches against Newcastle and Fulham and an FA Cup third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers. His dismissal was one of three in a controversial clash at Stamford Bridge, with teammate Ashley Cole and Villa center midfielder Zat Knight also receiving their marching orders.

The absence of Carvalho and Cole leaves Chelsea without virtually their entire first-choice defense, with skipper John Terry also in the treatment room.