Houllier stands up to critics

Houllier admits the level of hostility towards him was a new experience in his career after Matt Jarvis' goal sucked Villa into the Barclays Premier League relegation battle.

Fans chanted "we want Houllier out" at the final whistle and also questioned his substitution of midfielder Marc Albrighton midway through the second period. Villa are now hovering just above the bottom three after collecting only five points from the last six games.

Houllier said: "I shared the fans' frustrations. They are not happy with me and I'm not happy with what we are doing at the moment.

"This is what happens when you don't get the results. You have to live with that. The hostility was not something I have really faced before. It is completely new but I can live with that.

"The fans need to support the team. What we want is the fans to back the team and at the moment we are going through a difficult period. The season has gone that way."

Source: PA

Source: PA