Source: Team_Talk
Villa chief unsurprised by snub
Gerard Houllier is unsurprised no English players are contesting the FIFA Ballon d'Or after a poor World Cup and Champions League in 2010.[LNB] Players from this country have constantly featured on the shortlist for the prestigious honour in past seasons but there is not a single candidate for the latest award.[LNB]Aston Villa manager Houllier said: "The Ballon D'Or usually takes into account the World Cup or the European Championships of that year and also if a player has won the Champions League, for instance.[LNB]"I mean, no English team won the Champions League for 2010 and England went out before the quarter-finals in South Africa.[LNB]"That's why, it's not a surprise.[LNB]"Usually it's an award for when players have been outstanding throughout the whole year.[LNB]"You can imagine players who were with Barcelona to the semi-final of the Champions League and those who won the World Cup with Spain would be there.[LNB]"You have to explain why sometimes players are there. Thierry Henry never won the Ballon D'Or but I think he deserved it on account of what he'd done.[LNB]"France failed in the (2006 World Cup) final on penalties against Italy and Cannavaro won it. It was between Thierry and Cannavaro."
