The media furore over the recent on-field conduct of Manu Adebayor and Craig Bellamy is put into context by the Daily Mail's Martin Samuel in his influential column.

The headline neatly sums up Sam's stance - "Blazers ignore the mob and get it right" - but it's worth reading beyond that for a point well made but which has escaped some in their anger.

After some discussion regarding the fan who invaded the derby pitch, he concludes: "Bellamy was warned about his future conduct and the news that Emmanuel Adebayor, his Manchester City team-mate, escaped with a fine for his provocative goal celebration in front of the Arsenal end has led to claims the Football Association are doing nothing about the behaviour of unruly players.
 
"Not true. They are doing something. They are refusing to pander to the demands of the mob.
 
"It would have been very easy to chase favourable publicity and avoid accusations of weakness by banning Bellamy and Adebayor. In contrast, eschewing a knee-jerk reaction while acknowledging the mitigating circumstances - personal space that should not be invaded, unacceptable levels of abuse from the sidelines - was the blazers at their best."

And there the matter should end ...

Meanwhile, there's a match tonight. James Collins tells the Star's Dave Armitage that his Wales skipper Bellers will be a real handful at Villa Park, given his current irresistible form.

In classic Star style, Big Dave kicks off: "Aston Villa have been warned to beware getting burned by a little firecracker". He quotes defender Collins: "We speak quite often. I think he's trying to prove a point there. He's got to be delighted with the way he's playing. He and Carlos Tevez just seem to bounce off each other."

Most papers report Mark Hughes' views on players' receptions at their former clubs - Gareth Barry goes back to Villa expecting grief from fans - including The Independent's Ian Herbert.

He quotes manager Hughes: "I think the service that Gareth gave to Aston Villa was exemplary. Maybe instead of trying to really take issue with players on occasions, we should be thanking them and acknowledging them, for what they did for the club while they were there."

A noble sentiment after he was abused at the derby by fans who once idolised him, but don't hold your breath, Sparky.