VINCE NEIL “I PUSHED THAT WOMAN BUT NEVER PULLED HER HAIR”

Vince Neil is denying dragging an autograph seeker to the ground by her hair, but according to law enforcement — and surveillance video — he did enough damage to warrant a citation.

Sources close to the Motley Crue frontman tell us the woman was “very aggressive” in her efforts to get an autograph from Vince andNicolas Cage, who were having lunch in the Aria Hotel and Casino. We’re told Vince admits he was annoyed and “pushed past her” … but insists he did not grab her by her hair.

TMZ broke the story … we got video of Vince fighting with Nic outside Aria. We’re told Vince was pissed about what went down inside the hotel, because at that point hotel security had held them for an hour — and police had already ticketed him for battery.

Law enforcement sources tell us officers reviewed the casino’s surveillance footage before issuing the citation.

We’re told alcohol was definitely involved — the group, which included Carrot Top, was drinking during lunch. Btw, we’re told Carrot Top bolted as soon as the incident happened and was nowhere to be seen when police arrived.

Cage and Neil are longtime friends who were previously photographed together at the rocker’s strip club back in 2012.

TMZ