Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood admits Carlos Sanchez put the team ahead of himself after dismissal in victory at Tottenham.

It means the midfielder will be banned for the FA Cup semi with Liverpool.

Sherwood said: "At first I thought he was being clever, I thought he was missing Manchester City away so I thought 'you crafty…'

"But someone reminded him it was the semi-final. He has sacrificed himself for the team, he has probably never even played at Wembley but he did it for a cause

"Their momentum was forward so he had to make the challenge because Tottenham have players who can breakaway.

"If he didn't do it then perhaps (they may have scored). There's been games this season when I've been asking players to do that, today he has done at the expense of himself.

"We are sorry for Carlos but grateful."