Source: Team_Talk
Houllier hits out at 'stupid' Carew
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier turned on Norwegian striker John Carew by labelling the player 'stupid' after their 1-1 draw at Fulham.[LNB] Carew had been set to deputise for the injured Emile Heskey against Fulham but he damaged a calf muscle in training and missed out.[LNB]But Carew, who is out of contract at the end of the season, took offence to Houllier's earlier remarks about him taking the chance to earn a new deal.[LNB]Houllier is reported to have said: "John is at the end of his contract and it is an opportunity to express what he wants - whether he wants to stay at the club or whether he wants to go somewhere else."[LNB]But an angry Carew, 31, hit back by claiming that Houllier had demonstrated a lack of respect.[LNB]"If he wants me to fight for a contract, he should speak to me directly and not through the media," said Carew in VG.[LNB]"This is disrespectful to me and to the fans who sing my name week in, week out."[LNB]In a public spat that overshadowed Villa's draw at Craven Cottage, Houllier denied he had been disrespectful to Carew but labelled him as being "stupid" and "living in the past".[LNB]"I was told about his comments," said Houllier. "I think he is stupid. How can he say that? I didn't lack respect to him or anybody.[LNB]"Somebody asked me if it was a good chance for him and I said yes. What do you want me to say? No? I think John is living in the past at the moment.[LNB]"He should look at the figures, how long has he played and how many goals have we scored when he has been playing. I didn't lack respect to him but in doing that, he is lacking respect to me.[LNB]"I don't question his ability. I am not living in the past. We have been very unlucky with him with injury and illness. I know his ability.[LNB]"If he thinks that me saying yes is lacking respect, then I am not going to say sorry. I feel he should focus on the games, we are in difficulty at the moment. We don't get enough points."[LNB]Villa should have beaten Fulham after taking a 42nd-minute lead through Marc Albrighton. But they squandered numerous chances before Fulham defender Brede Hangeland scored a last-gasp equaliser.[LNB]"The overall performance was good," added Houllier. "We sometimes played very good football.[LNB]"I told the boys I am extremely unhappy with the result but the performance was outstanding in terms of effort and discipline and we had enough chances to seal the game.[LNB]"The only thing we could blame ourselves for was that we had the chances to finish it off."[LNB]But Houllier, already without Carew and Heskey, will not be without captain Nigel Reo-Coker for at least three weeks with a knee injury collected in a clash with Jonathan Greening.[LNB]"I don't think Nigel will be able to play for another two or three weeks minimum," said Houllier. "It is a knee injury. There was a challenge with Jonathan Greening.[LNB]"Jonathan fell on his ankle and he twisted his knee. It is very unfortunate. It is a medial ligament injury and we need to know the gravity of it."[LNB]Fulham boss Mark Hughes was relieved his side managed to steal a point from the game.[LNB]"In the first half I thought we edged the better chances," said Hughes. "I was disappointed to concede just before half-time and in the second half, Villa were able to get people behind the ball and play on the counter and that was always a worry for us.[LNB]"But we kept on going and doing the right things. We didn't ask enough questions in the second-half, in terms of balls into the box, but the one ball we did produce brought us the goal and we are thankful for that.[LNB]"At that late stage you are thinking the game is lost and it has gone beyond you. We got something out of the game so we are pleased.[LNB]"We have got to be pleased with the point."[LNB]But the return of striker Andrew Johnson, out of the game for 13 months with groin and knee injuries, was a boost for Hughes.[LNB]He had a gilt-edged chance to score after coming on as a second-half substitute but Villa keeper Brad Friedel won the one-on-one contest nine minutes from time.[LNB]"Andrew looked bright," added Hughes. "I just felt we needed to stretch the game. We kept going and that is the positive we will take from it.[LNB]"But Andrew showed once again he still has that awareness and I am sure he was disappointed not to convert his chance. But credit to Brad who came out very quickly and closed his angle down. It was good play all round."
