Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa striker John Carew does not have a problem with being fined.
Striker's response to fine pleases Villa manager
Martin O'Neill insists John Carew does not have a problem with being fined and has praised the Aston Villa striker for his positive reaction.
Carew was punished by O'Neill after the Norwegian was spotted in a Birmingham club in the build-up to last Thursday's Uefa Cup tie with Ajax.
The striker started Sunday's game at Wigan Athletic on the bench, but came on to create one goal and head home another in the 4-0 win.
Villa boss O'Neill was pleased to see Carew respond positively to being fined and he does not expect it to be a lasting issue with the former Lyon man.
"I have a perfectly good relationship with John Carew," said O'Neill. "I don't think I would be guest of honour if any of the players were asking people to go out and eat with them.
Over
"But I have absolutely no problem with John. He stepped out of line, I dealt with it. It's over. There is not a problem. My relationship with John, I should imagine, wouldn't really change.
"I've been fined as a player myself and it didn't really change things. You might sulk for a day or two - or in my case for a month or two! But there is not a problem with John.
"If you talk about the way John reacted, he came on as a sub at Wigan and within 12 minutes had made a goal and scored one - not a bad way to resolve the situation, so I am really pleased.
"The crowd reaction to him was also very positive. It was great. Whether we would all have had a different reaction to everything had Wigan turned us over, who knows."
O'Neill also insisted Carew had not been dropped as a disciplinary measure for the Ajax encounter.
He said: "I knew nothing about the incident (with Carew) until after the Ajax game. He was rested for the game - as he has been for certain other midweek games."
