ACTUALITE |
23.02.2006
O`Leary`s Djemba-Djemba admission
Aston Villa manager David O`Leary considered selling Eric Djemba-Djemba after his late return from the African Cup of Nations.
The 24-year-old midfielder was fined for returning home rather than rejoining Villa after Cameroon went out of the tournament but has apologised.
Asked whether he had thought about selling him O`Leary told BBC Radio Five: "You would love to at times.
"But I am not in a position to do that, I have got a small squad of players."
O`Leary added that the small size of his squad meant that Djemba-Djemba`s absence "hurt us even more".
"At the moment we have got to keep what we have until the end of the season," added O`Leary.
"We have done what we feel is the maximum for what we feel was something totally stupid on his part.
"Hopefully he will learn from it and play a part from our run-in to the end of the season."
Djemba-Djemba, who joined Villa from Manchester United for £1.3m 13 months ago, has made a full apology.
"I know I have done wrong," Djemba-Djemba told the club`s website.
"I realise now that my conduct was not acceptable and accept that my actions showed a lack of respect to the manager, the club and its supporters.
"I have had a very constructive meeting with David O`Leary and his assistant Roy Aitken and expressed my regret and offered my apologies for my extended absence.
"The matter has been dealt with internally and I accept the outcome of the discussions.
"I wish to make it clear that I remain fully committed to Aston Villa and intend to concentrate on playing an active part in the remainder of the season."
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