STEPHEN Warnock has finally broken his silence on his Villa hell under Gerard Houllier last season and revealed: “I never want it to happen again.”

Warnock was banished to train with the reserves for five months in January after falling out with the former boss midway through the 2010-11 campaign.

It was a challenging time for the left-back, who had played for England just weeks before his exile and was a member of last summer’s World Cup squad.

Warnock has since regained his place under new boss Alex McLeish and has been an ever-present in the claret and blues’ unbeaten Premier League start. The 29-year-old defender is anxious to make up for lost time after thanking Villa coaching stalwart Kevin MacDonald for keeping his spirits up.

“It was frustrating and I never want it to happen again,” said Warnock, whose last appearance before this season came in December’s defeat at Manchester City.

“That’s why I’m so hungry to do well this season.

“It was very difficult but I was lucky to have Kevin with me when I was training with the reserves.

“He kept me on top of my game and told me to keep fit and make sure my head was right.

“He said ‘you never know what’s going to happen in football’. He was great to me and Habib Beye.

“He kept us ticking along and the young lads were great with us as well.

“It was good at times because I was helping to develop the young lads and passing on a bit of knowledge to them.”

Warnock has been an integral part of a defensive unit which has conceded just five goals in Villa’s two victories and five draws in the Premier League.