Richard Dunne's Villa career doubt

Richard Dunne's Villa future hangs in the balance today as the fallout from a boozy row involving team-mate James Collins continued ahead of their clash with Wolves.

Villa have now launched disciplinary procedures against the pair, who clashed with staff on a team-bonding trip to an exclusive spa in Leicestershire.

Dunne and Collins are nursing shoulder and calf injuries respectively, so had not taken part in a paintballing activity with the rest of the squad on the trip last week.

Manager Gerard Houllier and assistant Gary McAllister were present during the daytime but left to watch Tottenham's Champions League clash with AC Milan at White Hart Lane.

The majority of the players had gone to bed after they had watched the game on TV at a restaurant at the Champneys Springs resort but Dunne and Collins, who had both been drinking, are reported to have stayed up to criticise staff and team-mates.

Fabian Delph is thought to be one of the players singled out for direct abuse by Dunne and the pair are set to have a face-to-face meeting with senior management staff and will be heavily fined by the club.

A club spokesman said: "The club is aware there has been an incident. We have launched an investigation in line with our internal disciplinary procedures."

It's not the first time Dunne has clashed with club staff, after reports of a training ground bust-up with Villa assistant boss McAllister towards the end of last year.

Privately, manager Houllier had been angry with the Republic of Ireland defender's overall attitude to training last year and axed him from the side for nearly a month.

But, after returning to the starting line-up with an impressive performance in a 3-3 draw with Chelsea, it looked as though Dunne had reconciled his differences with the Frenchman. However, this now appears to be an incident too far for Houllier.

Dunne said: "I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour. It was not acceptable and I am genuinely sorry."

The future for Collins, 27, is a little less clear but Houllier may be prepared to give him another chance.

Undoubtedly the matter has further added to the Villa boss' problems ahead of Saturday's showdown with Wolves.