Eric Djemba-Djemba has been advised by his agent to treat David O'Leary with respect and avoid speaking in public about the Aston Villa manager.
Djemba- Djemba, the former Manchester United player, was reported to have hit out at O'Leary during a television interview last week when he questioned the tactics being employed at Villa Park.
The 24-year-old backtracked following a meeting with O'Leary on Thursday after his remarks were reported in the English media.
O'Leary - publicly at least - accepted Djemba-Djemba's explanation although it seems clear the Cameroon international has only a bit-part to play in his future plans after recently struggling to even make the substitute's bench.
But agent Christophe Mongal has warned Djemba-Djemba to keep his thoughts to himself.
Mongal said: "Eric is contracted to Villa and therefore must respect the coach. What he said was caused by the frustration of not playing but you cannot criticise the manager."
And he ruled out any possible move happening in January as Djemba-Djemba will be away with his country in the African Cup of Nations for up to six weeks.
He added: "It will be very difficult for us to find another club in January because of the tournament in Africa. Eric is very disappointed not to be playing for Villa - especially as he is not even on the bench.
"But to move in the next transfer window is not something we can really look at and therefore he must accept that he will be at Villa until the end of the season."
O'Leary had predicted Villa would see the best of Djemba-Djemba this season after his arrival from Old Trafford for £1.35 million last January but he has not started a game in 2005-06 despite Villa's lengthy injury list.
