Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock has blasted Everton winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's X-rated challenge on Stiliyan Petrov, reports the Expressandstar. Referee Lee Probert had no hesitation in sending the Russian off for his 87th-minute lunge on Petrov in Saturday's 1-1 draw, even Toffees boss David Moyes had no arguments with the decision.

Warnock said: "It's a poor tackle, if you look at the replay of it, Stan's lucky to come out of it without a broken leg.

"Their lad has caught him very high and it's a dangerous tackle, I think that's what forced him off. He's tried to carry on but just couldn't."

Petrov attempted to play on but was forced off in injury-time and manager Martin O'Neill admitted the midfielder is struggling.

The Villa boss said: "Stiliyan is not so clever at the moment, he obviously tried to play on and we'll see how he is.

"The crowd seemed to get upset about it, but I think if they watched it back they'll see it was straightforward - he's caught him on the shin.

"If you're sliding in and you're holding your foot up then it's a sending off offence. If it had happened in reverse I would have had no complaints."