Villa discipline three for late-night fracas

04 May 2012 13:47

Aston Villa have disciplined three members of their first-team squad after they were filmed in a skirmish outside a nightclub, it was confirmed on Friday.

Midfielders Fabien Delph and Chris Herd and defender James Collins have all apologised following the incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning which came after the club's annual awards night.

Video footage of the fracas was broadcast on British media outlets on Friday, giving Villa manager Alex McLeish an unwelcome distraction as the relegation-threatened club prepares for their game with Tottenham on Sunday.

Welsh international Collins admitted in an apology to fans published by the Birmingham Mail that he should not have been at the nightclub.

"I'm sorry for what has happened and I take responsibility for my actions," Collins said. "It does not show me in a very good light and does not put the club in a very good light.

"I know I should not have been out in a club with my wife after the end-of-season dinner at that time in the morning and I was wrong to be in that position.

"It was a misunderstanding and was resolved quickly but I understand how it looks and I apologise for that."

Source: AFP