Villa star Nigel Reo-Coker has been banned for one match by the club after a sensational training ground bust-up with manager Martin O’Neill.

The midfielder was involved in a heated verbal exchange with the boss at Bodymoor yesterday, which ended with the feuding pair being separated by shocked players.

O’Neill and the £7.5million signing from West Ham exchanged words before squaring up to one another, although no punches were thrown.

The 25-year-old turned up for training as usual today but was sent home by the manager and dropped from the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Portsmouth at Villa Park.

O’Neill said: “There was a mishap on the training ground. It is a common occurrence between players but on this occasion, unfortunately, it was between the manager and the player.

“There was a bit of a contretemps and that is unfortunate. Nigel did not train this morning and obviously will not play tomorrow.

“But I have dealt with the issue as I see fit and that’s the end of it. Monday we are back to normal.”

Tensions between manager and player are thought to have been simmering for some time. The Croydon-born star has made no secret of feeling home sick in the Second City and had been widely tipped to leave Villa Park during the transfer window, with Tottenham and Fulham both reportedly interested in offering him a return to his London roots.

He was signed by O’Neill from the Hammers in summer 2007 and had been expected to make a push for the England squad.

But his Villa Park career has never truly taken off and the last month is the first time he has held down a regular place for a year.

Reo-Coker was unhappy at being played out of position at right-back last season and, despite returning to his natural central midfield position in the 4-5-1 this term, he has been replaced by John Carew in the second half of Villa’s last two games – with the player left visibly unimpressed.