Source: Team_Talk
Boss blames struggle on nerves
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier feels his players suffered from nerves against Blackpool after going five Premier League games without a win.[LNB] The hosts went into the match at Villa Park desperate to get back on track, but they struggled, particularly in the first half, and needed an 89th-minute goal from James Collins to secure a 3-2 victory.[LNB]Houllier felt his players let the nerves get to them after draws against Fulham, Birmingham and Chelsea and defeats by Tottenham and Sunderland.[LNB]The Frenchman said: "The players have got to focus on the game and forget about the scoreboard. The players are responsible for the game and maybe (they underperformed) because we knew we were in need of points, never mind playing well.[LNB]"The only positive thing about this game is twice they equalised and we managed to keep our head up and go for the winner.[LNB]"We dropped 10 points. If you lose half of that, you're more comfortable, you're more relaxed. The first half we were too nervous, too tense."[LNB]While the main talking point after the game was Blackpool boss Ian Holloway's decision to make 10 changes to his side, Houllier's options continued to decrease.[LNB]John Carew, Emile Heskey, Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker and Stiliyan Petrov are all out, and Houllier revealed yesterday defender Carlos Cuellar will miss their match against Manchester United on Saturday with a calf problem while Habib Beye twisted his ankle in the warm-up.[LNB]There was some good news for the Frenchman, though, with the return of Gabriel Agbonlahor after five weeks out following groin surgery, while teenager Nathan Delfouneso impressed and netted his first goal of the season to put Villa 2-1 up.[LNB]Houllier continued: "That's a good thing for us. We have played without Carew, without Heskey and a number of injuries in midfield. We have horrendous injuries. But we cope."[LNB]Despite their numerous changes, Blackpool attacked Villa from the off and, after Marlon Harewood had cancelled out Stewart Downing's opener, DJ Campbell looked to have earned his side a point with their second equaliser three minutes from time only for Collins to add another twist.[LNB]Houllier was full of praise for Holloway's commitment to attacking football, saying: "I congratulate him. He's got a philosophy which is positive going forward. It's not long balls, they try to build.[LNB]"He deserves some great credit for what he's doing. If the game is exciting and spectacular, it's not only our game. Every time I see Blackpool's games on TV or DVD, they throw everything at you offensively. I hope they stay up."
