Mat Kendrick Column: Warning for Aston Villa duo - don't question O'Neill
The former Albion skipper did, after all, play through the pain barrier for the greater good of the Villa team several times at the start of this season despite repeatedly dislocating his shoulder.
And, having seen Martin O’Neill award fellow defender Wilfred Bouma a new contract during his long injury lay-off, Davies is probably expecting Villa to show him a little gratitude.
But Davies is intelligent enough to know that the best way to earn the goodwill of the gaffer is to simply continue doing what he was doing by getting his head down and working hard.
After recently undergoing surgery on his dislocated shoulder Davies can be excused for getting anxious about missing out on his bumper new double-your-money contract. Before he went under the knife last month the ex-Luton trainee was just two games short of the 60 appearances he needs to trigger a clause to discuss improving his current deal.
But with ‘Grapple-Gate’ still rumbling away between O’Neill and Nigel Reo-Coker, Davies and Sproson have picked the worst possible time to question the manager’s authority.
Davies is arguably the most articulate member of the Villa dressing room so it is surprising that he allowed his agent to speak so strongly on his behalf over something as sensitive as his contract.
O’Neill was seething when asked about the situation last week and early indications are that the Davies camp have weakened rather than strengthened his case for an immediate pay rise.
