FA See No Wrong In Barton's 'Flick'!
The 26-year-old thought he could face disciplinary action after catching the Villa man in the face as he disputed a free-kick during.
However, the FA have confirmed that referee Steve Bennett, who did not see the incident at the time, had decided it did not warrant a red card after considering video evidence, and there was no case to answer.
Barton: "The ball came across and the referee gave a free-kick, and I was debating with him because I didn't think it was a free-kick.
"I thought it was a foul against me and I had hold of the ball. Their lad came across and barged me in the back.
"Nothing has gone on. People are making a mountain out of a molehill.
"Don't forget, with the referee and their assistants around and all the television cameras, you know you cannot raise your hands these days, and at no stage have I done that.
"The ball is there to be won and I am going to contest it.
"That is a part of my game and that's what I was brought here to do and hopefully, they will just let me get on with it."