Source: PA
Houllier confident he can lead Villa to safety
Gerard Houllier insists he is the right person to lead Aston Villa to Barclays Premier League safety despite more calls from supporters for him to be sacked.
The former Liverpool boss had to endure a level of hostility he admits to never suffering before in his career during and after Villa's 1-0 home defeat against Wolves. Fans chanted "Houllier out" and "you're getting sacked in the morning" at the final whistle after cries of "you don't know what you're doing" when substituting Marc Albrighton.
It was a similar scenario two months ago after a home defeat by Sunderland which saw Villa drop into the bottom three. But Houllier survived that onslaught, signed Darren Bent for a club-record £24million, and remains confident now he can steer Villa away from the threat of relegation.
He said: "We need 10 points (to be safe) and we will get them. I am confident about that. Everyone is concerned about the fact we are going through a tough period.
"We are all worried. The players are worried and that is part of the nervousness we showed at times against Wolves. I didn't feel the team was as free as it used to be. The first goal played a part and affected the morale and confidence of the team.
"We know we have some players who are suspended or injured and at some stage they will come back." Houllier added: "We have quality players and I think we will (survive). I am convinced we have everything it takes. It will be a fight but 'game on.' I would love to have something different to aim at but that's what it is."
