O’Leary facing derby charge

ASTON VILLA manager David O’Leary has been charged by the Football Association with using abusive and/or insulting words towards match official Graham Poll.

The charge relates to his conduct towards Poll after the final whistle of the match at Birmingham last Sunday.

He has also been reminded of his responsibilities in relation to his post-match celebrations, when he marked Villa’s first Premiership win over Blues in seven attempts by charging across the field to salute Villa chairman Doug Ellis.

O’Leary felt there was nothing wrong with his actions at the end of the game when he stood on the pitch, in front of the directors’ box, with a clenched fist.

He said: “There were people like the chairman, who has taken a lot of stick this week, and been very ill, (operations director) Steve Stride and other people who have been good to work with - I could see the smiles on their faces and I was pleased for them.

“Was I putting myself in danger? Since I’ve come to this town I’ve been treated very well by Birmingham fans. If I felt any danger I wouldn’t have been over there because I’m the biggest coward in the world!”