Houllier wants fans to back Villa

Last updated : 19 March 2011 By BBC Sport

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has called for the club's fans to support the team after the 1-0 home defeat by Wolves was greeted by boos.Fans chanted "we want Houllier out" on the final whistle and the result leaves Villa just one point clear of the Premier League drop zone.

"The fans need to support the team," said Houllier.

"What we want is the fans to back the team and at the moment we are going through a difficult period."

Houllier added he was just as upset as the fans and could take the flak.

"[The fans] are not happy with me and I'm not happy with what we are doing," Houllier continued.

"The hostility was not something I have really faced before."

Villa, who were without key defensive personnel for the visit of Wolves and produced a lacklustre display, were undone by a lone Matt Jarvis strike as the visitors notched up their first win at Villa Park for 31 years.

They have won just six league games since Houllier's appointment last September, as well as keeping one clean sheet in 19 league matches and taking only five points from their past six games.

Houllier 'nervous' about relegation fight

Fans chanted: "You don't know what you're doing" when Houllier withdrew Marc Albrighton on 61 minutes and at the final whistle they chanted "we want Houllier out".

The Frenchman, who led Liverpool to a historic treble of the League, FA and Uefa Cups in 2001, said he could shoulder the derision and called on the Villa support to unite behind the club.

"The hostility is completely new but I can live with that," added Houllier. "This is what happens when you don't get the results."

Houllier, who felt Villa were unfortunate not to score an equaliser, is adamant that Villa will survive the drop despite their latest setback.

"I told the players we have eight Champions League games left to play," said Houllier. "I think we will do it. I am convinced we have everything it takes.

'Great feeling' to beat Villa - McCarthy

"We have quality in the team but at the moment it just doesn't go our way. I think the boys tried hard, created enough chances to at least get an equaliser.

"We hit the bar [through Ashley Young] and I was told there was a penalty but we are going through a difficult period at the moment.

"I think today we deserved an equaliser. Like I said, I understand the fans' frustration and everyone is concerned about the fact we are going through a tough period."

Wolves are now unbeaten in four games and remain third from bottom only by virtue of a one-point goal difference from West Ham, who likewise have 32 points from 30 games.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, who saw his side claim only their second away win all season, said he empathised with Houllier's plight but stopped short of expressing outright sympathy.

He said: "You didn't have to be the brightest light on the Christmas tree to recognise there was some tension amongst the crowd.

"I don't like to hear any manager get hostility towards them but I would prefer it to be him or 18 other managers rather than me.

"Hostility comes with the job. If you get beaten by a team in the bottom three, you get it. I empathise with him but sympathy, no."

McCarthy added: "It is a deserved victory. I know they hit the bar but overall we dominated the game. It was a worthy victory."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport