Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists he holds no grudge with Nigel Reo-Coker after handing the midfielder the captaincy in the win over Bolton.

Reo-Coker was given his first start since his training-ground bust-up with O'Neill in September and skippered the side in the absence of Stiliyan Petrov.

O'Neill is adamant his bust-up with Reo-Coker is forgotten about and says he was happy to hand him the captain's armband in the 5-1 thumping of Bolton.

"I'm too old to start holding grudges now," said O'Neill.

"Perhaps when I was at Nigel's age I probably would have done. But I'm too old and for the benefit of the team it's not that important.

"Nigel and myself had a bit of a spat. It's over and gone with, it was quite some time ago.

"What will be, will be, but I just want players to come in here and give everything for this football club and try and win games in this league.

"The opportunity arose to put him into the side and I felt if he's going into the side he might as well burden himself with the extra responsibility as captain as well. I thought he acquitted himself really well."