Nigel Reo-Coker

The former England Under-21 captain has already accumulated eight bookings and a sending-off during the current campaign, and admits he needs to improve his disciplinary record.

But he also feels the over-the-top reaction from players to challenges is not helping his cause.

Reo-Coker told Villa's official website: "The manager (Martin O'Neill) is helping me develop as a player. He's making me think a lot more about my game. He wants me to develop my discipline, so I'm working on that.

"I'm used to getting bookings. It happens in games when you play where I play in the middle and I won't be changing my overall approach to the game. But I try to take on board what the manager is saying.

"I'll continue to be very passionate and committed but I think there are a lot more theatrical falls now and that's killing the game.

"Players are getting booked for nothing. It's not even a man's game at times. You can't really get physical any more.

"I thought football was a physical game but now, if you slightly touch a player, they go down and do 20 rolls and a back-flip to get you cautioned."

O'Neill wants Reo-Coker to channel his aggression in the right direction during the final third of the campaign.

He said: "As well as people being able to play, we need some controlled aggression in the team. I wouldn't want any players involved in serious foul play or anything like that.

"But we need proper aggression. There's a difference between controlled aggression and losing your head."