Martin O’Neill played down the significance of a verbal exchange with Aston Villa fans situated behind the dugout during the latter stages of the home goalless draw with West Ham.

O’Neill and Villa’s goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh appeared to have words with several spectators as a frustrating share of the spoils with the Hammers reached its climax.

The game ended with around half a dozen stewards in position alongside and at the back of the home dugout but O’Neill was adamant what occurred was “not a big issue”.

The former Celtic boss tried to laugh off the incident and said: “It was my brother. I told him not to say anything. He was giving me a bit of advice. I shall see him when I get home tonight.

“I didn’t know about Seamus and I’m not so sure this is really a big issue. It does not concern me.

“The issue today was we were unable to score a goal but it was a big effort by my players considering we played in the Carling Cup semi-final only on Thursday.

“It is disappointing the win didn’t materialise and when you drop points at home it can be considered a missed opportunity.

“But I think this result and other ones this weekend involving teams near us in the table highlight how difficult this league is.”

O’Neill believes the fair play of his skipper Stiliyan Petrov prevented West Ham midfielder Radoslav Kovac from being sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence.

O’Neill said: “I think Stiliyan kept Kovac on the pitch by getting up so quickly because it did look a bookable offence.

“If he had stayed down, the player would have been sent off so well done to Stiliyan.

“Hopefully this idea we have a couple of divers in our team like Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young gets washed away with the rest of the nonsense.”

O’Neill confirmed Birmingham have made a bid for midfielder Craig Gardner but insists they will have to make an improved offer to land his services.