Newcastle United have hit out at critics of Joey Barton after his clash with Aston Villa's Gabby Agbonlahor last night.

Barton, who is playing again after a ban and prison sentence, flicked out a hand at Agbonlahor in the first half.

Coach Chris Hughton played it down and said: "Any incident regarding Joey is going to be blown up twice as much as it's going to be with any other player.

"I wasn't aware of any incident with Joey at all."

Barton must now wait to see if there is any further action taken by the FA over the incident against Villa but he has the backing of Hughton, who took the post-match press conference because manager Joe Kinnear had lost his voice.

"There wasn't anything said in the changing room afterwards, certainly not to my knowledge," added Hughton.

"All we can ask of Joey is to put in the performances he has done for us since he has been back. He is a very short way into his period back with us. All of those things, he is aware of."