Source: Team_Talk
Reo-Coker falls out with Villa boss
Reo-Coker was sent home from training for disciplinary reasons with reports indicating he had a disagreement with O'Neill in training on Thursday.[LNB]When the former West Ham player arrived for training on Friday morning, he was told to stay away until Monday.[LNB]O'Neill said: "There was a confrontation between Nigel and myself.[LNB]It usually happens between players really.[LNB]"There were no fisticuffs. There was no wrestling to the ground as reported in one newspaper. That was a figment of the onlookers' imagination.[LNB]"There was enough for me to treat the incident seriously enough. Nigel will not play against Portsmouth and come Monday it will be forgotten about.[LNB]"I make the rules. I am the manager and custodian of the football club so my rules apply. Players have to get used to my rules. It's as simple as that."[LNB]Putting the incident to one side, O'Neill is wary of the challenge Villa face when they host rock-bottom Pompey who are without a point in the Barclays Premier League this season.[LNB]The Villa boss is not underestimating the challenge of Paul Hart's side[LNB]and feels Portsmouth's results do not reflect the way they have played so far this term.[LNB]O'Neill said: "Naturally I am concerned about the Portsmouth game.[LNB]"They do not have any points but I think their performance deserved some points on the board.[LNB]"Major decisions haven't seemed to go their way which caused them to concede a few goals but overall the performance must have been very encouraging for Paul Hart.[LNB]"He has obviously had a tough time since the end of the season and did well to guide them through pre-season when he hoped to get some of the better players bedded down at Portsmouth.[LNB]"Some have gone and he has had to make changes but if their effort and determination last Saturday is any guide it will genuinely be tough for us.[LNB]"As I've often said in the past and will continue to say we wouldn't be good enough to treat anyone lightly.[LNB]"But we are going into the game with a lot of confidence."[LNB]Villa have made their best start to a Premier League season since 1998 and O'Neill added: "We have won three consecutive Premier League games and it is great.[LNB]"Portsmouth, however, will be dangerous as they showed last week from set-pieces and counter-attacks.[LNB]"I just think that we have got to be really focused on the game and I think the crowd can be encouraged by our recent performances."[LNB]O'Neill could recall Fabian Delph to replace Reo-Coker in the heart of the Villa midfield and he has also has not ruled out a return for striker John Carew to join Gabriel Agbonlahor in attack.[LNB]Carew, a firm favourite with the Villa fans, created the winning goal for[LNB]Agbonlahor at Birmingham last weekend after going on as a substitute.[LNB]O'Neill added: "We will make assessments accordingly. I will give it[LNB]some consideration and have a look at it.[LNB]"I made some changes against Birmingham but it was imperative that I got[LNB]a couple of defenders into the side as it gives us a bit more stability[LNB]considering that Curtis Davies will be out from a lengthy time after his[LNB]shoulder operation.[LNB]"We are reasonably flexible within the system we play.John Carew came on[LNB]and made the winning goal at Birmingham which was delightful.[LNB]"At least I now have some options and I have players chomping at the bit which is encouraging from my view point."[LNB][LNB] Aston Villa v Portsmouth Correct Score: Aston Villa 2-0 11/2
