Agent: Djemba-Djemba deserves fine

Eric Djemba-Djemba’s agent has admitted Aston Villa manager David O’Leary is right to fine the player after his failure to turn up at the club.

The Cameroon international is expected back at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training complex tomorrow.

O’Leary had been expecting the former Manchester United star to reappear in the middle of last week after his country’s exit from the African Nations Cup.

Given the club’s lack of midfield options, Djemba-Djemba could have expected to at least be among the substitutes in Saturday’s home Premiership clash with Newcastle.

But he went back to Cameroon and has only now decided to return to Birmingham where he can expect a fine.

The player’s agent, Christophe Mongai, told the Birmingham Sunday Mercury: “Eric called me on Thursday night and left a message on my phone.

“He told me he was in Cameroon and was flying back to Birmingham on Saturday. But he did not say why he had stayed away and I can understand why the Aston Villa manager wants to fine him for this.”