Source: Team_Talk
Houllier urges Villa to be brave
Gerard Houllier has urged his Aston Villa youngsters not too show Manchester United too much respect in Saturday's clash at Villa Park.[LNB] Villa will be aiming to win a home Premier League clash against the Red Devils for the first time since the opening day of the 1995-96 campaign.[LNB]They are decimated by injuries to senior players - midfielder Stephen Ireland is the latest doubt after missing training on Friday with a sickness bug - but Houllier can draw on the knowledge that he triumphed five times in Liverpool-United clashes during his time at Anfield.[LNB]And the Frenchman is hoping the likes of Nathan Delfouneso, Barry Bannan, Mark Albrighton and Ciaran Clark will relish rather than be fazed by the challenge of taking on United.[LNB]Houllier said: "Sir Alex said to me 'you are more successful against Manchester United than even Bob Paisley.' But they've won more titles![LNB]"Villa have not won against United (at home) for a long time. I would say that at some stage it has to stop.[LNB]"It already stopped in a way last year because Villa won at Old Trafford for the first time in 25 encounters or something like that.[LNB]"We hope in front of our fans, we give the best of ourselves and get a result.[LNB]"We've got a good group of players and a good team - whatever the opposition.[LNB]"I regret some of the players are not available because in that sort of game you need some more experience.[LNB]"But I can quite happy to see some young players going through and it would be for them a good experience and a good opportunity for the future."[LNB]Houllier added: "We must make sure we don't give them too much respect.[LNB]"They are so good, we must not watch them play.[LNB]"One of the problems that could happen is it takes us 20 minutes to get into the game.[LNB]"We have to start immediately from the kick off.[LNB]"Regarding motivation, the game will take care of itself.[LNB]"You need to take the tension out of the young players and must not put pressure on them and just make sure they do what they are good at.[LNB]"I think every Manchester United team plays to win. That is their strength and philosophy.[LNB]"I want to instil that here despite the fact we don't have all our major players but we can do it."[LNB]Houllier is full of admiration for Ferguson and his achievements during the past two decades at Old Trafford.[LNB]He said: "He's been a friend for a long time, even before I came to England, and after.[LNB]"We met at coaches get-togethers organised by Andy Roxburgh at UEFA, sometimes on holiday. We've been friends and whatever happens tomorrow we will remain friends.[LNB]"There was a programme made in France about his 24 years at United, about his personality and achievement, the way he has developed young players and the way he managed the teams.[LNB]"He's highly regarded. He's a genius."[LNB]Houllier believes Villa have deserved a greater tangible reward from recent matches before the mid-week home success over Blackpool.[LNB]He said: "It was a much needed victory in terms of picking up points particularly after dropping two points in the final minute against Fulham.[LNB]"We've played three away games at Tottenham, Sunderland and Fulham and deserved more than the one point."
