Alex McLeish has confirmed Barry Bannan was suspended by Aston Villa because he insists the club 'have to have discipline'.
Villa boss insists there need to be ground rules
Alex McLeish has confirmed midfielder Barry Bannan was suspended by Aston Villa because he insists the club 'have to have discipline'.
Scotland international is the subject of an internal club inquiry after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and bailed by police over the weekend.
He will sit out Saturday's game against Sunderland and McLeish says there is no timescale on the length of Bannan's suspension.
The Villa boss has made it clear to all his players that certain standards and rules have to be taken on board, and wants the squad's senior members to help their younger colleagues.
When asked why he had suspended Bannan, McLeish said: "We have to have discipline - but I'm not going to add to the statement that was made previously. There is nothing to add.
"How long will the suspension be in place? We'll just have to wait and see but he is not available this weekend.
"We are not pre-judging anything at all and have made that clear.
"Barry has done well this season but he can get better, like everybody else.
"I don't want to speak about Barry anymore. We are concentrating on the game against Sunderland and I'd prefer to talk about that."
Mutual respect
But when asked about discipline as a general subject, McLeish said: "I think that we have to have a bit of mutual respect.
"We're in the professional world and there have to be certain ground rules.
"I'm not saying it's anything to do with last season (at Villa) because you can never tell. I didn't base it on last year, I based it on what I feel is right.
"It happened with me as well in previous clubs. We can get along fine but you've got to have discipline.
"The senior players can help the youngsters and be a big influence in every respect."
