Ballack denies diving in Villa clash

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has denied diving to win a crucial penalty in yesterday's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill suggested Ballack had tumbled over even though there had been no contact with Zat Knight, who was shown a red card.

Andriy Shevchenko rifled home the penalty to initiate Chelsea's fightback in a remarkable afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

O'Neill felt Knight's dismissal in the 46th minute was the turning point and was furious with referee Phil Dowd's decision.

But Ballack told the London Evening Standard: "For me there is no discussion about this.

"I had the ball and two guys, not just one, came and one pushed me. It was a clear penalty."

O'Neill declared after the match he might appeal Knight's red card after claiming Ballack had conned the referee.

He said: "It wasn't a penalty. The Chelsea player went over and there had been no contact."