French fitness coach Robert Duverne is at the heart of the morale crisis inside Aston Villa, it has been revealed.
The Sun says complaints over his and boss Gerard Houllier's strict new fitness methods sparked the booze-fuelled row at a team-bonding spa day.
Duverne, 43, has been central to Houllier's regime since joining in September but the appointment has split the camp and he bore the brunt of Richard Dunne's furious tirade last week.
James Collins and Dunne have faced club disciplinary panels over the past two days and are awaiting punishment - likely to be a maximum fine of two weeks' wages.
A Villa source said: "Many of the squad are happy with how Duverne has improved their fitness and match sharpness.
"But some of the other players have complained continuously about extra runs at the end of sessions and gruelling tasks within the season.
"Dunne and some other senior players do not understand why they are doing pre-season style fitness work in March."
