Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa 3 Blackburn 1: Rampant Robert Pires earns apology from Gerard Houllier
[LNB]When Gerard Houllier was going through his worst spell failing to win over Aston Villa's fans it was Robert Pires who made things even worse.[LNB]The 37-year-old former Arsenal star went home to France and gave an interview bitterly criticising his boss for not picking him - and laying bare the level of resentment his fellow countryman was facing from other unhappy players.[LNB]Yet wind forward to a new, happy Villa who knocked Blackburn out of the FA Cup with Pires getting the crucial goal - and it was Houllier who was the man saying 'sorry'.[LNB] Off the mark: Robert Pires opened his Aston Villa account with the crucial second[LNB] [LNB]'To be honest with you I thought maybe I made a mistake with Robert because I started him in the teamtoo early after he signed for us,' said the Villa boss. 'Don't forgetwe were short of personnel at the time so I launched him in and hisfirst game was against Arsenal.[LNB]'It took him about two months to get back to a certain level of fitness and maybe it was my mistake to ask too much too soon.[LNB]'Then he had this declaration inFrance that he was not happy - so actually I was happy because I don'tlike a player who says he is happy not playing. I don' t want peoplewho like to sit on the bench.' [LNB] No chance: Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson and Michel Salgado fail to keep out Cieran Clark's headed opener[LNB]Pires' first goal in England since his farewell for Arsenal in May 2006 brought huge celebrations. [LNB]'I think the other players respecthim as a top guy. He trains superbly and sets a magnificent exampleevery day,' added Houllier.[LNB]Pires' influence rubbed off onVilla's young team as goals by Ciaran Clark and teenage striker NathanDelfouneso secured their place in the fifth round.[LNB]But Blackburn are also showing theyvalue experience by handing a new contract to 35-year-old MichelSalgado. 'It has taken him time but he has now adapted to the pace ofthe Premier League and looks like the player he was at Real Madrid,'said manager Steve Kean.[LNB] [LNB] Aston Villa 3 Blackburn 1: Pires helps Rovers' cup nemesis into fourth roundSamba does U-turn on Blackburn quit threat to sign new new dealVilla ready to play waiting game for transfer targets Adam and LarssonAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinionAll the latest Blackburn news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Robert Pires, Gerard Houllier Places: United Kingdom, France
