Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject: Villa chiefs back manager Gerard Houllier for long haul
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Furious Houllier 'hurting' over Villa form
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner have insisted manager Gerard Houllier will revive the club's fortunes.
Villa fell to a fourth straight defeat on Monday after losing at Houllier's former club Liverpool and are now two points above the relegation zone.
But Faulkner said: "It's 'as you were' for us. It's not even a vote of confidence, as nothing has changed.
"He is incredibly hard-working and doing everything he can."
The 63-year-old angered some supporters by joking after the club's poor performance at Anfield that if Villa had to lose 3-0 at least it was to the Reds.
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Our last two league performances have been gutless and poor and that's something that shouldn't be glossed over...
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But the Frenchman met with assistant manager Gary McAllister and coaches Gordon Cowans, Robert Duverne and Rafa Gonzalez in the aftermath of the defeat to try to work out why his team are in such poor form.
"We are a team, we are five - myself, Macca, Gordon, Rafa and Robert," said Houllier. "The day after the game against Liverpool we met practically all day.
"We talked about a few things, analysed a few things, questioned a few things. That's exactly the right process. We were supposed to go to France to see [scout] a player but we cancelled that."
When Houllier took the reins at Villa Park in September, the club steadied itself in the top half of the table but have suffered from injury problems - including striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Stiliyan Petrov - and lost their last four games.
Yet, ahead of the club's match against Midlands rivals West Brom on Saturday, Faulkner insists that Houllier is a critical part of the club's long-term development.
"We knew it was going to be hard [when he took over] and we are on a bad run," he said.
"But the answer is to work even harder - and Gerard is doing that. Of course, West Brom is a massive game, it's a local derby, but everyone who cares for Villa should stick together.
"Our stance has been, ever since Randy took charge of the club in 2006, to build for the long term. Continuity always pays off. Look at Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
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Houllier targets improvement after Anfield defeat
"Gerard's great to work with. It's only three league games ago when we were eighth and Sir Alex said we should have been 6-0 up against his team before drawing.
"The manager arrived in September and has been trying to make changes in the way things are done and make changes in the playing style.
"Without wishing to make excuses, the injury list has been horrendous. Thankfully, players are starting to come back now.
"Fans should demand and expect total commitment from a manager and Gerard is fully focused on Aston Villa."
Faulkner is adamant Villa will back Houllier in the January transfer window.
He said: "We'll give him the support and the resources to do his job.
"But January has never been the ideal time to make extensive recruitment. If opportunities present themselves, then we will look to improve the squad."
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England have named their squad for the forthcoming Twenty20 and one-day international series against Australia.
Paul Collingwood will captain the World Twenty20 champions in a two-match series before Test skipper Andrew Strauss takes over for the seven ODIs.
Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes is the only uncapped player named, with the first T20 in Adelaide on 12 January.
Craig Kieswetter (T20 series only), Luke Wright, Michael Yardy and James Tredwell are also in the party.
Kevin Pietersen returns to the limited overs set-up after being dropped for last summer's series against Pakistan, while Chris Tremlett returns for the first time in two years. ผลบอลjogadas do poker
But Ravi Bopara has been dropped from the squad that beat Pakistan in September with Ian Bell, who missed those matches through injury, coming back in.
Steve Davies retains his place as 50-over wicketkeeper, with Kieswetter still under T20 consideration only, and there is no return yet for Matt Prior - England's Test choice and a player who still wants to play in all international formats.
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