Source: Team_Talk
Sam expects tricky Villa test
Sam Allardyce feels the Carling Cup tie at Aston Villa has become a more difficult for Blackburn now Gerard Houllier is in place at Villa Park.[LNB] Wednesday's third-round encounter will be former Liverpool boss Houllier's first match in charge of Villa since his appointment as manager earlier this month.[LNB]Allardyce is well aware of Villa's potency in the cups having seen his side eliminated by them in both the FA Cup and Carling Cup last season - in the latter case, at the semi-final stage - and the Rovers boss is expecting another tricky task now the opposition have a new man at the helm to impress.[LNB]"It will be good to see Gerard again," Allardyce said.[LNB]"He has been involved in many ventures since he left Liverpool - he has been in close touch with football throughout Europe, he has had his position with the French FA and also his job at Lyon.[LNB]"He is obviously very eager to get back into this country because he knows it is the best league in the world.[LNB]"To coach, manage or play at this level is what everybody wants to do throughout the world of football.[LNB]"He will be delighted to be back and it will be a difficult game for us now.[LNB]"It was always going to be a difficult game, but I think the players that he will pick will be going all out to impress him."[LNB]Allardyce believes Houllier will field a strong starting line-up as he looks to make a positive start in his new job.[LNB]"I think that Gerard will be picking the strongest side because he will want to get off to a winning start at Villa Park," he said.[LNB]"I managed a 3-0 win against Stoke City in my first game [as Blackburn manager].[LNB]"That was a major relief for everybody and it gets everyone's confidence up and settles everyone down."
