LONDON, Dec 29: The Football Association has rejected appeals by Chelsea left back Ashley Cole and Aston Villa defender Zat Knight for wrongful dismissal in the 4-4 draw between the teams in the Premier League on Wednesday.

England international Cole appealed against his red card for deliberate handball on the goalline which led to Villa equalising with a Gareth Barry penalty in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge.

Cole will serve a one-match ban and misses Saturday’s home game against Newcastle United.

Knight was sent off by Phil Dowd at the end of the first half after the referee ruled he had brought down Michael Ballack. That foul also led to a penalty converted by Andriy Shevchenko.

The Villa player was also handed a one-match ban and misses Saturday’s game at Wigan Athletic. “We are obviously disappointed because we felt we had a case,” manager Martin O’Neill told Villa’s official website.

“But we abide by the decision and prepare for Saturday’s important game at Wigan without him.”—Reuters