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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Aston Villa face points deduction</li><li>Qualify for the knockout stage</li><li>Fielded ineligible player against Sunderland</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Good news for Alisha Lehmann and Co! Aston Villa deducted three points but remain in Women's League Cup despite fielding ineligible Noelle Maritz against Sunderland

Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Aston Villa Women

During the club's final group stage clash against Sunderland last week, manager Carla Ward fielded Noelle Maritz in the second half who was cup-tied having played for Arsenal in the same competition earlier in the season. On Monday, The Football Association confirmed that three points would be deducted from The Villans' total tally and awarded to Sunderland instead.With three points, the Black Cats will now qualify for the knockout stage as group champions along with Alisha Lehmann and Co. who make it to the next round ahead of Manchester United.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The <a href="https://womensleagues.thefa.com/statement-sunderland-v-aston-villa/" target="_blank">official statement</a> from the FA read, "An independent tribunal have deducted three points from Aston Villa for fielding an ineligible player during their FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup group stage fixture against Sunderland on Wednesday 24 January 2024. The FA alleged that the player was ineligible for this game, as she had previously featured in the competition for her former club, which constitutes a breach of Cup Rule 8.19. Aston Villa admitted this charge and acknowledged the breach had occurred. "The independent tribunal ordered that the points deducted from Aston Villa be awarded to their opponents Sunderland, while the 7-0 scoreline is to be expunged from the record. As a result, Sunderland will finish as Group A Winners, with Aston Villa progressing to the quarter-finals as one of the two best-placed runners-up alongside Tottenham Hotspur."

WHAT THE FA SAID

It was a close shave for Lehmann and her teammates who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/alisha-lehmann-aston-villa-noelle-maritz-conti-cup-arsenal/blt68fddd4ea65f7413#cs92299bb43253a93e" target="_blank">could have faced an expulsion from the competition</a>. Reading were guilty of a similar violation a decade ago which resulted in the club being kicked out of the tournament.However, the decision has left Manchester United furious. The club responded with a statement on the club's official website."We are very disappointed with this outcome, and do not understand its rationale. We feel that it undermines the integrity of the competition, and of the women’s game," read a statement. "We are considering our options in response."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ward's team, who are currently eighth in the Women's Super League, will be next seen in action on Saturday as they take on Bristol City.

WHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

Good news for Alisha Lehmann and Co! Aston Villa deducted three points but remain in Women's League Cup despite fielding ineligible Noelle Maritz against Sunderland | Goal.com

Aston Villa remain alive in the Women&apos;s League Cup despite fielding an ineligible player against Sunderland.

Good news for Alisha Lehmann and Co! Aston Villa deducted three points but remain in Women&apos;s League Cup despite fielding ineligible Noelle Maritz against Sunderland

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