O'Neill voiced his disappointment after Gardner returned from international duty with a muscle strain sustained in the friendly draw against Poland.

And while the Villa manager remains unimpressed that one of his players was injured in what he felt was a 'meaningless' match, he will not be seeking out Pearce to discuss the incident.

Gardner is facing another fortnight on the sidelines as Villa battle to remain in contention for a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League.

O'Neill told the club's official website: "There was a story about a 'spat' with Stuart Pearce. There hasn't been any spat.

"I was disappointed that he (Gardner) got injured in a game that was really meaningless.

"I've not had any run-ins with Stuart Pearce - he's trying to do his job. My gripe was that it was a meaningless game at an important club stage of the season.

"It seems there's not a story unless people can turn it into a conflict. I am not demanding a showdown with Stuart Pearce, but that of course spoils the story.

"I was asked would I be speaking to Stuart Pearce and I said 'I'm sure I will'. That meant I'm sure I'll speak to him at some stage.

"But I haven't spoken to him at this stage and I've no specific intention of doing so.

"If anybody from the FA wants to enquire after the health of Craig Gardner, that's alright. But I won't be chasing anybody."