Gabby: Barton's had enough bad press

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has revealed he decided not to pursue disciplinary action against Joey Barton because the controversial midfielder "has had enough bad press".

Reports emerged after Newcastle's victory over Villa on Monday alleging that Barton made a racist comment during a confrontation involving the pair following a first-half foul.

But Agbonlahor told Villa he did not want them to pursue the matter with the Football Association, saying: "It happened and you try to forget about it."

He added: "At the time, I wasn't very happy, but he has had enough bad press so I decided to leave it.

"The club decided they would back me, but I just decided that that is the sort of player he is. I thought I'd just leave it."