Houllier backed by Villa bosses


Houllier has come under fire from supporters who called for him to be sacked after the recent 1-0 home defeat by Wolves which left Villa just one point above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.


But Houllier is adamant a close bond remains between himself, Lerner and Faulkner, and said: "I speak to Randy Lerner on a regular basis and I speak also to Paul Faulkner a minimum of once a day. We are very close and very tight together. We know what we are going through."


He added: "It is important to be in a club where there is a strong belief and the trust is there.


"I think their support for me is just as strong. In fact, I am convinced of that."


Houllier believes the club is unified in the battle to stay in the top flight but he has issued a warning to anyone not committed fully to Villa's cause.


He said: "I believe the club is unified. If someone is not with us and not giving more than 100%, he's got to leave because we won't make it.


"But I think we are all right and there is no problem.


"The spirit is good, we know where the land lies, we're not lying to ourselves, we are in a relegation battle, like others and we are aware of that.


"At the same time we have the quality and mentality to deal with that."

Source: PA

Source: PA