Villa issue defender statement

Aston Villa have moved to defuse a row with the Republic of Ireland over the groin injury Richard Dunne suffered at Euro 2012.

The 32-year-old defender returned from the tournament with a problem which required surgery, and is currently working his way back to fitness - meaning he will miss his country's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Friday. Villa last month expressed their disappointment at the situation, suggesting that the problem had 'not been dealt with' by Irish medical staff at Euro 2012. But the club have now issued a clarification: "In a press release dated August 1, 2012, Aston Villa Football Club made a number of assertions and comments about the medical treatment received by Richard Dunne during his service with the Ireland team during the European Championships. "We wish to acknowledge that Richard Dunne received the highest standard of medical care before and during the Championships and apologise to those involved in providing his treatment if any other impression was erroneously given." Dunne played the full 90 minutes in each of their three games at the finals and has since indicated his intention to continue his international career in talks with his international boss Giovanni Trapattoni.