Report: Villa avoids suspension despite kicking out at Toronto FC's Cooper

David Villa got off the hook.

The New York City FC star will not be suspended for his side's second-leg clash against Toronto FC this Sunday, as Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated reports the Spaniard has avoided a ban for kicking out at Armando Cooper in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal this past weekend.

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

After the two men collided in midfield during the opening half, Villa clearly took a swing at the Panamanian, kicking him in the back of the legs.

The momentary outburst went unpunished, which incensed Toronto FC boss Greg Vanney.

"I think there are instances in a game that regardless of who you are, when you make choices like that where a player's defenseless and you take a whack at him from behind, on any other day in any other league, I think that player sees a suspension," Vanney said, according to ESPN FC, after the Canadian club's 2-0 win.

Per Wahl, the MLS Disciplinary Committee did not see things the same way as the Toronto FC bench boss:

According to the committee parameters, if a referee sees the play but does not give a red card, a suspension will come only if the five-member Disciplinary Committee is unanimous on two things: One, that the offense is a clear red card, and two, that the play is of an egregious or reckless nature so that they need to protect player safety.

The Disciplinary Committee was unanimous that Villa's kick deserved a red card, but it was not unanimous that it was of an egregious nature with the need to protect player safety.

Villa, who was named a finalist for the league's MVP award on Tuesday, will therefore be available to help Patrick Vieira's men attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit when the clubs meet at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.