Villa drop Reo-Coker after bust up with O`Neill

London: Aston Villa have dropped midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker for Saturday`s home Premier League game against Portsmouth after a row with manager Martin O`Neill in training.O`Neill rejected newspaper reports on Friday that the two had to be separated by other players after grappling each other to the ground but said there had been a "verbal confrontation."

"There was a mishap on the training ground," O`Neill told the Villa website. "It`s a common occurrence between players but on this occasion, unfortunately, it was between the manager and a player. "There was a bit of a contretemps and that is unfortunate. Nigel didn`t train this morning and obviously won`t play tomorrow," he added. "I have dealt with the issue how I see fit and that`s the end of it. Come Monday, we`re back to normal again. I am the custodian of this place, my rules apply." Bureau Report