The pair and team-mate Fabian Delph have been disciplined by the club for their part in a nightclub fracas during the early hours of Tuesday morning which followed Villa's annual awards dinner.

The players have apologised for their actions, but McLeish was yesterday very unhappy about the unwelcome attention it has brought.

He said at the club's pre-match press conference: "It's a slur on the club. I feel for (club owner) Randy Lerner and the fans of Aston Villa Football Club but the players need to show some respect for themselves and the football club."

The trio were fined for their conduct, although it is understood Delph was treated more leniently after acting as peacemaker in the incident.

McLeish added: "We knew about it on Tuesday and some players broke the rules so we acted very swiftly on Tuesday. We're very disappointed.

"We won't tolerate that kind of behaviour."

Speaking about Herd and Collins, McLeish added: "If selected I think the most important thing is that they've been punished. They've shown a bit of humility which is the least we can expect.

"It happens at every club. It happens at even the top clubs. It's the culture of one pint too many.

"I think it reflects badly on Randy Lerner, the club, myself and most importantly the players themselves.

"They owe us. They have to give us a performance that we will be proud of."

All three players issued apologetic statements.

Wales defender Collins said: "I'm sorry for what has happened and I take responsibility for my actions.

"It does not show me in a very good light and does not put the club in a very good light."

Herd added: "I would like to apologise for what happened on Monday night and I apologise for being out at that time.

"My actions on the night were out of character. Even if I felt at the time that the prior situation inside the nightclub had not been dealt with properly, it was no one's intention to be involved in any trouble."

Delph, who has been dogged by injury problems in recent seasons, said: "I'm sorry for being out on Monday night, the early hours of Tuesday morning and I apologise to the club for this - the fans, the chairman, the manager and my colleagues.

"I am injured, I won't be fit again until pre-season and I probably thought that going out would not carry any consequences.

"I was sober, I was in control of my actions and I did try to calm down the situation. I didn't hit out or strike anyone but I should not have been there and I was wrong to be in this position."

Villa, in a club statement, confirmed: "The club dealt with this matter internally on Tuesday and the players in question have been disciplined.

"The fines are being split between two charities the club are promoting at the game against Spurs on Sunday - Cure Leukaemia and Anthony Nolan."