Aston Villa Foundations Begin To Crack

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Following the scenes at Anfield on Monday night, Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is not a popular figure amongst the Villa faithful. His widely reported comments following Villas 3-0 lo s to Liverpool were a final kick in the teeth to fans who have been given nothing to cheer about recently. Houlliers job has now been made a great deal harder. Not only does he need to somehow haul Aston Villa from the wrong end of the Premier  Derrick Rose Jersey League table; he must now tackle scathing Villa fans who feel his loyalties in some ways remain on Merseyside.Houllier was welcomes back by the Anfield faithful, but quickly dismi sed by angry Villa fans. Photo: AFPI am an optimistic Villa fan, but I am beginning to wonder why. I was honest in my a se sment of Gerard Houlliers arrival at Aston Villa by suggesting that despite an admirable record as a manager, he simply is not the correct man for the job at Villa Park. I stand by this a se sment; particularly in light of recent goings on at the club.Houllier's comments add salt to the wounds of Garrett Temple Jersey  Aston Villa fans. Photo: BBCFootballVillas torrid run of form has seen them slump to a lowly 16th place; only two points from the relegation zone. The fans have been exposed to some lifele s, flat and uninspiring performances of late, but until Monday they remained behind Houllier. I (like many honest football fans) am a believer that you cannot judge a manager until at least six months into a job. After which time the dust has settled and the club are over halfway into a season. However, I make an exception when I make an a se sment of Gerard Houlliers credentials as Villas Manager.Moments like this may not be seen at Villa Park for a long time to come. Photo: GettyWhat Martin ONeill spent so long building at Villa has now been put to waste. Over the past few years Villa became a side full of pace, exciting football and without doubt potential. ONeills tirele s work ethic at the club ended in disappointing circumstances. Following a relatively lengthy appointment proce s, Houllier was given the chance to continue to build on the sturdy foundations that ONeill left behind.Monday nights trip to Anfield summed up the predicament that Villa find themselves in. Le Shaquille Harrison Jersey  s than a year before, fans were reveling in an outstanding victory at Anfield; one which saw Villa produce a solid defensive display coupled with an exuberant attacking display. Houlliers first visit to Anfield culminated in a 3-0 defeat and an angry set of traveling fans who felt robbed of roughly 40. This was a Liverpool team mi sing Gerrard, Torres and Carragher. To add further insult to injury, Houllier comments about the match were inappropriate at best. He stated If I have got to lose 3-0, I would prefer it to be to them as I like Liverpool. I do  Otto Porter Jr. Jersey not believe that the comments were fully meant the way they sound, but for somebody so used to speaking to the pre s, Houllier has no avenue with which to evade a barrage from the media and fans alike.The side now lack confidence, a vital ingredient that some of the worlds best managers can maintain in the face of adversity. Villa look like they lack heart on the pitch. Richard Dunne and James Collins have looked woeful of late; not working as a pair and looking like making a mistake with every touch. Brad Friedel appears a shadow of the player he was only a year ago. Villas undoubtedly taleneted youngsters are keen to do a job, but with little help coming from around them it is simply a job too big.I do not believe that in light of recent events Gerard Houllier will be in charge of Aston Villa for any more than six months. Before the end of January Villa face Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City. You would be forgiven for thinking that all three of those teams will fancy their chances against what is certainly a wounded side. Houlliers one potential saving grace could be in the January transfer market. If Randy Lerner can provide some funds with which to bolster a small, out-of-sorts squad, things may just change. I am awaiting the arrival of Djibril Ci se, who seems to follow Houllier wherever he goes. Villa are in desperate need of a quality centre-back, an influential central-midfielder and Zach Norvell Jr. Jersey  a proven goalscorer. I know what I will be wishing for this Christmas, but my chances of getting it are as likely as Gerard Houllier being an Aston Villa hero!DH