Barney_avfc

The Villa manager was upset with the Scottish forward's lack of commitment to train and turned up to vent his frustration

Steve Bruce was involved in a furious stand-off with Ross McCormack on the striker’s own doorstep as the anger of Aston Villa ’s manager spilled over this week.

The club’s boss was involved in an incredible face-to-face confrontation with the Scot after he rang into the club saying he wasn’t available to train earlier this week.

Bruce has stood by McCormack, despite being upset with his fitness levels this season. He has already phoned in sick twice this season – and the Geordie was spitting mad at the level of his commitment.

So when the forward contacted Bodymoor Heath this week, Bruce was in no mood to compromise.

McCormack’s latest excuse was that he was unable to make training as the electric gates on his property would not open.

Bruce challenged his player, asking him to jump over the fence and to book a taxi in order to make training.

But McCormack responded by saying that they were going to be fixed and he would try to get to the club’s Bodymoor Heath training base.

Unfortunately for Villa’s £12m summer signing from Fulham, Bruce was not about to take ‘No’ for an answer.

He discovered where McCormack lived and drove around to his house. He then jumped over the fence and rang on the doorbell whereupon he let rip at the startled player.

McCormack was left out of Villa’s squad for the game against Preston North End yesterday.

And Bruce was in no mood for reconcilliation at the final whistle.

He said: “In my opinion, he’s not fit enough to play unless his attitude and record of missing training improves.

“If he keeps missing training like he does – then that will be the situation.

“He has just not turned off. The latest excuse was that his gates had stuck but he couldn’t jump over a fence that was four feet six inches high.

“There has been too much indiscipline at this club for way too long.

“Not in 20 years of management have I gone down this road of publicly shaming a player but I have to make a stand because I won't put up with it. Not on my watch.

“I ask only one thing. When I tell them they are in, everyone else is in. How can I pick him when he doesn’t want to come training?

“It’s happened more than once. Everyone can have an excuse for one occasion but when it is more than that I will not accept it.”