Dublin was sent off for butting Savage during Birmingham's 2-0 victory at Villa Park when the two clashed following a late challenge on the Welshman five minutes into the second half.

West Midlands police were today reviewing-video evidence of the incident, and are still to decide whether or not to take the matter further.

But the former England and Manchester United striker quickly dispelled speculation that he had been provoked by racist remarks from Savage, saying: "That is completely untrue."

He added: "What was said is irrelevant. My actions were wrong. I am ashamed of what I have done. I've let the players, the manager and staff down - and most importantly I have let myself down.

"I called a meeting of my team-mates this morning and said sorry to them. I wanted to say sorry to their faces. I have never done anything like that in my career before. Where it came from, I just don't know. I just don't know why I reacted like that.

"Possibly it was partly frustration but I have got no explanation for my actions. But it won't happen again." Dublin appeared to mouth the word "cheat" towards the TV cameras as he came off the pitch, but he admitted: "I didn't really know what I was saying at that stage. I was so angry with myself just for letting myself down.

"But I can clear up the fact there was no racial element at all to this incident. Words are exchanged in football in the heat of the moment. But I should not have reacted that way." Villa manager Graham Taylor confirmed he would be taking disciplinary action against Dublin, who is likely to be fined two weeks' wages in addition to serving a three-match suspension. The ban could yet be longer, with the Football Association waiting for referee Mark Halsey's report before they will decide whether a tougher sentence should be imposed.

Taylor also admitted that midfielder Joey Gudjonsson was "fortunate" not to have been given a straight red card for his two-footed challenge on Matthew Upson. Instead Gudjonsson, on loan from Real Betis, was shown a second yellow and Birmingham manager Steve Bruce said: "It was an horrific tackle and things like that break people's legs.

He added: "I don't know what happened with the Dion Dublin incident. I have known him for 15 years and I have never seen him do anything like that before. It was a bad tackle on Savage and sometimes these things happen in the heat of the battle."

Villa midfielder Gareth Barry admitted the pitch invasions and intimidating atmosphere had affected the players. "The lads are devastated," he said. "We had a couple of mad moments, we lost our cool and it ended up in a couple of sendings-off and there was no way back from there.

"It's also a bit scary with the crowd trouble, especially when the fans enter the pitch. It does put you under a bit of pressure and certain situations can get messy. It was disappointing to see."

His side fell apart once Dublin was sent off and goals from Stan Lazaridis and Geoff Horsfield eased Birmingham's relegation worries.

The victory lifted the Blues six points clear of West Ham in the Premiership table, and Bruce said: "The important thing is we kept our discipline pretty well and the points are a massive lift to us in our bid to move away from the relegation area."