Source: Team_Talk
Houllier wants more from Ireland
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has told Stephen Ireland he must work harder after overlooking the midfielder for the derby with Birmingham.[LNB] Ireland was valued at £8million when he moved to Villa in August as part of the deal which saw James Milner join Manchester City.[LNB]But he has only shown his best form in patches and failed to impress in the previous two matches against Sunderland and then Burnley in the Carling Cup.[LNB]Houllier opted to use rookie central defender Ciaran Clark in a midfield role in preference to Ireland, a non-playing substitute, during the goalless draw against Blues at Villa Park yesterday.[LNB]The former Liverpool boss has warned the Irishman that skill alone is not sufficient to put him at the forefront of his plans.[LNB]Houllier said: "Ireland needs to work harder. He played against Chelsea and did well, he played against Sunderland and was not good enough to me - simple as that.[LNB]"He needs to work harder. The skill is one thing but you need to compete.[LNB]"It is a difficult period for him. We support him, we back him. He comes to a new club and there is a change of manager in between."[LNB]The Frenchman added: "We know he is a good player but I don't want to have a situation where you say 'he is a good player, but....'[LNB]"If you say 'he is a good player but he doesn't defend, he doesn't run back, he loses too many balls in crucial areas', then that is difficult.[LNB]"He needs to get rid of these 'buts' about him and be a good player. He needs to work harder in games."[LNB]Villa have now gone 344 minutes without a league goal but Houllier is confident that position can be rectified.[LNB]Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is stepping up his rehabilitation work after groin surgery although he will not be ready for next weekend's game at Fulham.[LNB]He said: "Is the lack of goals a worry? No, because the positive side is we've conceded only one Premier League goal, an own goal against Sunderland. Yes, we know we have to score goals.[LNB]"As regards Agbonlahor, I was told he was working a bit harder today on his own with the physios.[LNB]"I don't think he will be in the plans for Fulham. After Fulham, who knows?"
