Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert says he can understand Christian Benteke shoving Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason on Sunday.
Benteke was sent off in the 2-1 defeat.
Lambert admitted Benteke deserved to be sent off, but claimed he was provoked by Mason pushing his head into the striker's and feels the three-game ban is harsh.
He said: "We asked the FA to look at it, it was dismissed. If Christian has to go you have to look at other things (Mason). Three games is excessive.
"I've not really had a chat with him as there's so much going on.
"The FA have made up their minds and the two teams look like they are going to get hit.
"The reaction from the players was normal. Spurs were obviously involved in it as well, but it was a situation where the guy put his head in Christian's face.
"He will learn from it. I don't condone what he did but I can understand why he did it."
