Roberto Di Matteo will rule the roost at Villa

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has warned Aston Villa's players there will be consequences if they step out of line next season.

The new manager insists he is "nasty enough" to change the dressing room culture at Villa Park after a string of off-field incidents last term.

Gabby Agbonlahor, Jack Grealish and Joleon Lescott were among several players who made headlines for the wrong reasons at various points of the campaign.

And Di Matteo, who is charged with getting Villa back into the Premier League, will not tolerate a repeat.

He said: "We are going to have our rules, our code of conduct and if someone steps outside there are certainly going to be consequences.

"I will have discussions with all the players, not just one or two. That's the way I manage.

"I have had very difficult dressing rooms in the past and have always been able to sort them out and make them work together."

Agbonlahor, in particular, became a symbol of Villa's downfall last term.

The club's longest-serving player was suspended after being photographed out partying on the night relegation was confirmed. He later stood down as club captain.

Di Matteo, who has already spoken to several members of the first-team squad, is determined to focus on the future.

And the Villa chief insists he will not make any decisions on players until they return to pre-season training.

He added: "If there is a willingness from each side there can be a future, but you are going back to the past again.

"It's something I don't really want to judge too much because I wasn't here. We are human beings, we need to close the chapter and it might take a little while.

"We have to get our teeth into the Championship and realise this is where we are and what we have to do."

Di Matteo is expected to make Bournemouth defender Tommy Elphick is first signing in a £3million deal.

He said: "I have a good idea on what I want my team to look like. I know what we need, what I think we need and we will work to get that right."