BAD BOY O'NEILL SENT OFF.

Byline: JAMES NURSEY

Atlante 1 Aston Villa 3

MARTIN O'NEILL apologised last night for being sent to the stands following a blazing row after skipper Stiliyan Petrov dislocated his shoulder.

But Villa still came from behind to reach the Peace Cup semi-finals with goals from Marc Albrighton, John Carew and Ashley Young.

Villa's evening at Malaga's Rosaleda stadium started badly as Petrov was subbed clutching his shoulder in the 19th minute.

And the fourth official Kevin Blom infuriated O'Neill by insisting the Bulgarian remove his captain's armband. The pair rowed again when Ashley Young was accused of diving.

Boss O'Neill said afterwards: "I apologise, it was silly and I shouldn't be getting involved. I am not playing the game.

"It was the fourth official who had insisted Petrov removed his armband and that's the biggest disappointment of the evening for us. He may now miss the start of the season."

And O'Neill may find himself rapped when the disciplinary committee meets today to discuss his dismissal.

Villa went behind when Curtis Davies diverted a cross past his own keeper Brad Guzan, but they hit back through Albrighton, Carew and Young to set-up another game in Malaga on Friday against either Porto or Lyon.

CAPTION(S):

SENT TO THE STANDS Villa manager Martin O'Neill