Aston Villa duo Richard Dunne and James Collins apologise after bust up with backroom staff Mar 13 2011 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury 
ASTON Villa have launched an inquiry after drunken players were involved in a bust-up with backroom staff at a posh spa resort.
Defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins face disciplinary action after tempers flared at the end of a two-day team bonding exercise at the exclusive Champneys Springs resort in rural Leicestershire.
Tensions rose after a day of paintballing when a verbal disagreement about coaching and tactics got out of hand.
"Two players who were p*****d up had, let’s say, a frank exchange of views," said a source. "There was an open bar which had been agreed by Gerard Houllier.
"They were having a bit of a go at the backroom boys. There was a disagreement with members of the coaching staff and both players have had to apologise."
Manager Gerard Houllier is thought to be dismayed at the players’ antics after a season in which his side have struggled in both league and cup competitions.
The excursion had been organised to boost club morale after a difficult season that has been fraught with tension.
The players took part in a paintballing exercise during the day but in the evening things threatened to get out of hand when, after dinner and out of sight of the public, a heated row broke out.
Houllier had been present during the day, but had travelled with assistant manager Gary McAllister to watch Wednesday night’s clash between Spurs and AC Milan at White Hart Lane.
He was furious to learn that a few of his players had stepped out of line and has launched an immediate investigation.
The Frenchman takes a hard line when it comes to players’ behaviour and he will have been less than impressed at a time when he is still struggling to overcome the fallout from last week’s FA Cup loss against Manchester City.
Last night Richard Dunne said: "I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour on Wednesday night. It was not acceptable and I am genuinely sorry about what happened."
His apology was rapidly echoed by Collins, who said: "We were wrong. This should not have happened and I apologise for the part I played."
The incident is just the latest of several off-field issues the club have had to contend with this season after striker John Carew, who is now on loan at Stoke, had a disagreement with Houllier in November.
Defender Richard Dunne also clashed with McAllister on the training ground in December and was dropped from the starting team.
Flop signing Stephen Ireland – currently on loan at Newcastle – Stephen Warnock and Habib Beye have also fallen out with Houllier.
An Aston Villa spokesman denied that there had been any violence but said: "The club is aware there has been an incident. We have launched an investigation in line with our internal disciplinary procedures."
Last night the manager of Champney Springs confirmed an incident had taken place but refused to comment further.
