Savage slams Dublin's stance

Dublin was given his marching orders for head-butting Savage, and further enraged the firebrand Welsh midfielder by calling him a cheat as he walked towards the Villa Park tunnel.

The powerful Villa forward issued apologies to fans and team-mates, but refused to say sorry to Savage.

The Welshman has admitted to being amazed by Dublin`s stance, saying he could quite easily have pressed assault charges.

"It was probably the worst time of my life," he said. "First I was fouled then I was head-butted. I wasn't sent off but I became the victim and got all the blame.

"To see someone I`ve known for a long time call me a cheat into a television camera is an insult.

"I thought it was a harsh thing to say and then for Dublin to hold a press conference and not to apologise to me, saying it was irrelevant, was very disappointing.

"Had I wanted to, I could have pressed charges. But what happens on a football pitch stays on the pitch, in my opinion.

"Some sort of apology from Dion would have been nice, but I don't suppose it`s going to happen.

"The whole business has amazed me."