Source: Team_Talk
Houllier yet to put pen to paper
ew Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has still to sign his three-year contract with the midlands club, but insists there is no problem.[LNB] But the former Liverpool boss insists there is nothing to worry about and it is only a matter of time before he puts pen to paper.[LNB]Houllier finally takes charge of Villa for the first time in Wednesday night's Carling Cup clash with Blackburn after agreeing to become Martin O'Neill's successor nearly two weeks ago.[LNB]When asked if he had signed the contract, Houllier said: "No, not yet but it is okay.[LNB]"The word is more important than the rest. You mean physically? No, but don't be worried.[LNB]"This is not important - I think at Liverpool, I didn't sign until November or December."[LNB]Meanwhile, Houllier has insisted he has complete faith in Kevin MacDonald, who was caretaker boss for the opening seven games of the season.[LNB]MacDonald declined the opportunity to be part of Houllier's first-team backroom staff and will revert to his role as reserve team coach.[LNB]Houllier said: "I understand why he didn't want to be there. Let's be honest, he was a bit disappointed because he was interviewed like the others.[LNB]"But I trusted him to be my number two and I trust him to be the reserve coach which, to me, is someone you work with all the time. He is part of my staff."[LNB]The Frenchman wants Villa to emerge from their comfort zone and start winning trophies under his stewardship.[LNB]The Carling Cup brought Houllier his first trophy when manager of Liverpool in 2001, the Reds defeating Villa's local rivals Birmingham in the final in Cardiff.[LNB]Houllier believes that success gave the Reds the confidence to enjoy a successful spell under him.[LNB]And the 63-year-old is aware just what ending a 14-year trophy drought would mean to the Villa supporters.[LNB]Houllier said: "Winning a trophy would be fantastic for the club and a huge reward for the fans. It will come.[LNB]"Maybe what the club needs is more ambition and to show its fighting teeth. Sometimes when you are a good club, everything is fine and the comfort is there.[LNB]"Maybe what we need is to get out of this comfort zone and get results a bit more.[LNB]"The passion is there but the ambition to win things would do well at this club.[LNB]"The image is a nice club. We want to be a winning club, and a nice winning club."[LNB]Houllier continued: "Winning that first trophy with Liverpool was crucial. It took a lot of pressure off the team. It came as a relief. We had actually won something.[LNB]"Even Chelsea lifted their first league title after winning the League Cup.[LNB]"I remember speaking to Jose Mourinho and saying, 'Don't neglect this cup because, if you win it, on the back of that, confidence grows'.[LNB]"That is exactly what happened. After that we practically won everything at Liverpool and we want to win something at Villa."
