Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier will be given time to turn around the fortunes of the struggling Premier League club, BBC Sport understands.Villa slipped into the bottom three for the first time since 2002 after losing 1-0 at home to Sunderland on Wednesday.
Since Houllier took over in September the club has won three of their 16 top-flight fixtures and lost six of their last eight Premier League matches.
But a senior Villa source said the club remained "totally behind" Houllier.
No timeframe has been set on how long the 63-year-old Frenchman has to turn around the fortunes of the Midlands club.
Houllier himself conceded after the defeat by Sunderland that Villa are now battling for survival.
"We are in a relegation fight now," he stated. "We're going through a difficult period but we'll make it."
Houllier also insisted he retained the backing of club owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner.
Message to Randy Lerner - either back Gerard Houllier or sack him!
DaveB1968
The former Liverpool boss added: "I spoke to Paul Faulkner and he was very supportive. I don't doubt Randy Lerner's firm support and determination. We are in this together, for better or worse."
Villa lost three of their four fixtures over the festive period, their only point coming from the 3-3 draw against Chelsea on 2 January.
They take on Championship strugglers Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Saturday before returning to league action with a derby against rivals Birmingham on 16 January.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport