Watch: Villa escapes red card for blatant kick out at Toronto FC's Cooper

David Villa is a very lucky boy.

The New York City FC superstar avoided what should have been a red card in the opening half of Sunday's Eastern Conference semifinal clash with Toronto FC, with the Spanish striker kicking Armando Cooper out of frustration during a chippy first-leg contest.

The two had exchanged tackles earlier in the half, and a fierce affair reached its peak as Villa stood over top the Panamanian and berated him for what he deemed to be a case of playacting.

As replays showed, however, Villa took a swipe at Cooper's leg, and somehow avoided a card of any color despite referee Silvio Petrescu being just feet away, in perfect position to see the infraction.