Football
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Aston Villa's Jores Okore denies refusing to play in Bournemouth game

Aston Villa defender Jores Okore has questioned claims that he refused to play in the relegated club's 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth earlier this month.

Okore is training with the under-21s after caretaker manager Eric Black said he had declined to be on the bench for the game.

But the Denmark international wrote on Twitter: "I refuse to play? I was on the bench against Chelsea and the games before, why didn't I refuse to play those games? There must be more to it than Mr. Eric Black is telling you!"

Black said Okore had told him he did not want to play after failing to make the starting XI against the Cherries.

He added: "It wasn't a disagreement. I spoke to Jores the week beginning the Bournemouth game and I thought he responded well and thought he trained extremely well.

"But once I named the XI on the Friday, Jores asked to see me and said that he didn't want to be considered to be on the bench, which I found surprising.

"I withdrew him from the squad. I met him again on the Monday. He said he didn't want to be considered for any of the games going forwards."

Bottom club Villa were relegated from the top flight for the first time since 1987 earlier this month.

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