Houllier’s Villa face derby test

John Percy

Gerard Houllier is already under pressure at Villa Park and the Midlands derby with West Brom has taken on extra significance after an appalling PR gaffe by the Frenchman.

Two wins from 12 matches have left Villa peering nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone, with the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last time out proving that Houllier’s honeymoon period is over.

But it was his conduct at Anfield that has enraged Villa supporters and leaves the 63-year-old facing a crucial period ahead of what already looks likely to become a winter of discontent.

Apology

He was even forced to submit a grovelling apology on the club’s official website after his astonishing remark that losing to his former club didn’t make defeat so hard to take.

Houllier’s team could be sucked into the relegation zone if Albion win at Villa and Fulham and Wigan beat Sunderland and Everton respectively.

And England international Stewart Downing has ordered his team-mates to prove they have the guts to avoid a shock relegation battle.

“We’ve got a massive game now on Saturday in which we’ve got to put things right,” he said.

“I’m still confident we can put things right. If we can get some players back fit and start picking up a few points then we’ll be fine.

Tough game

“We’re starting with a tough game at home against West Brom. We have to be man enough to stand up and have a right go.

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, Friday, AFP