Source: Daily_Mail
Stewart Downing backs under-fire boss Gerard Houllier
Stewart Downing insists the Aston Villa players have a good relationship with manager Gerard Houllier and talk of a mutiny has 'been blown out of proportion.'[LNB]The England winger believes it is easy to blame Houllier and blame him for Villa's slump when the squad have to take responsibility.[LNB]Villa are only one point above the bottom three ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park.[LNB] Down and out? Downing is tipping his boss to revive Villa's fortunes[LNB]Downing is also adamant Houllier has not made any wholesale changes in terms of bringing in new rules and, in any case, players have to adapt to his demands.[LNB]The former Middlesbrough player said: 'The manager is fine. We all get on with him. It is easy to point at him and say 'it's his fault' because he changed a few things.[LNB]'I had it at Middlesbrough before. It was the manager's fault, it was the players' fault etc, it was his fault because he wanted to leave etc'.[LNB]'You've just got to stick together and blank it out because when it is going well, everyone will take the praise.[LNB]'It happens at every football club and we've got no problem with the manager.[LNB]'No matter who the manager is, it's down to the players at the end of the day to get results and not him.'[LNB] Feeling the strain: Houllier has reportedly struggled to keep his side in order[LNB]When asked about a mutiny in the squad, Downing said: 'It has been blown out of proportion. Little things go on at football clubs.[LNB]'It is easy to point and blame and make a big thing out of things when they are not going well.[LNB]'We all want to win, the players are all behind the manager and I don't see any problem.'[LNB]It has been reported that players were unhappy with new rules apparently laid down by Houllier, but Downing added: "I don't think there has been a lot of change.[LNB]'Every manager I have played under has different ways of going about it and arrangements, in training and in games.[LNB]'But I think you just adapt. You get used to it after two or three weeks here. There haven't been too many changes.[LNB]'I have enjoyed it, I am sure the other players have enjoyed it.'[LNB] Hard times: Downing suffered relegation with Middlesbrough before his move to Villa Park[LNB]Downing suffered the agony of being relegated with Middlesbrough two years ago before making the move to Villa.[LNB]But he is confident the Villa squad has more quality and should pull clear of the bottom three.[LNB]He said: 'Being relegated is a horrible feeling. This squad is a lot more talented than the one we had there at Boro.[LNB]'We had a lot of young kids then, and they had a right good go at staying up, and we are going to do the same here.[LNB]'I'm fairly confident we can get out of it. We know what we have to do.[LNB]'Relegation has not been spoken about amongst us.[LNB]'Yes, we are in a bit of a sticky situation and I'm confident we can get out of it.[LNB]'But it's no good talking about it, we have to produce it on the field.'[LNB] Set for a return? Villa's defensive duo Collins (left) and Dunne could be recalled at Goodison Park [LNB]Villa's defensive duo of Richard Dunne and James Collins are in contention for a recall at Goodison Park.[LNB]Dunne and Collins proved their fitness after shoulder and calf problems by playing for the Republic of Ireland and Wales respectively during the international break.[LNB]Right-back Kyle Walker is Villa's only injury concern with the slight hip problem which forced his withdrawal from the England squad.[LNB]Midfielder Ciaran Clark will complete a two-game ban for incurring 10 bookings this season.[LNB] Everton v ASTON VILLA: Dunne and Collins poised for recallAston Villa plotting ?12m summer swoop for Blackpool's Adam All the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Stewart Downing, Richard Dunne, Gerard Houllier Places: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Wales
