No Michael Owen-Gerard Houllier reunion
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has ruled out the possibility of signing Manchester United striker Michael Owen during the January transfer window. He believes that the return of strikers John Carew and Emile Heskey will boost his team’s striking options.
Gerard Houllier previously managed the striker when he was at Liverpool. Michael Owen played under the Frenchman for six seasons and was instrumental for the Liverpool side that Owen spearheaded to an unprecedented League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup treble
in 2001.
The injury prone striker has been struggling to find a regular berth in the Manchester United side after his shock free transfer from Newcastle last season. Injuries have taken a toll on the striker as he is yet to start a Premier League game for Manchester
United.
Houllier has ruled out the possibility of a reunion as John Carew and Emile Heskey are expected to return in December and having seen Gabriel Agbonlahor returning after 6 matches, Houllier has a lot of options in terms of strikers available to him.
But, Gerard Houllier knows that his side is missing 10 senior players through different injuries and the team is too reliant on youngsters. He has indicated that he will be looking to sign 2 or 3 players to act as a cover for the young Villa side.
Aston Villa already have a crop of exciting youngsters at their disposal who are making all the right noises in the premier league this season. But Gerard Houllier has asked the fans to be patient as the youngsters still need a lot of time to find their
feet and realize their potential.
20 year old Marc Albrighton, who scored his first home goal for Aston Villa this Saturday against Manchester United, has been a revelation so far this season after filling the void left by the much anticipated departure of England international James Milner
to Manchester City. The youngster has stepped up to the mark and his performances have seen him become a crowd favorite at Villa Park.
The season so far has been a revelation for youngsters, Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannon, who have stepped up to the plate and are becoming regular fixtures in Gerard Houlliers’ young Aston Villa side.
Houllier said that the young players need time and one has to be patient and indulgent with young players as someday they will have a good day and sometimes they will have a poor game which must not be judged.
"That's what I said to young Bannon because he was distraught after the game against Burnley in the Carling Cup. I said 'hang on; you're not in the team because of one game.' He thought it was a make-or-break game," Gerard Houllier added.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa captain Richard Dunne is out for long after his reoccurrence of a knee injury. The Republic of Ireland international has also withdrawn from the national team's squad that plays Norway this Wednesday and is now the 10th
senior Villa player to join the injury list. The former Manchester City player's knee swelled up after a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United.
Aston Villa are already without the services of Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Emile Heskey, Fabian Delph through knee injuries along with Carlos Cuellar and Ciaran Clark (calf), Habib Beye (Ankle) and Steve Sidwell (Achilles).
Aston Villa are currently in 9th place in the Premier League table with 17 points after winning 4 games and drawing 5, a point behind Newcastle and 3 points behind 4th placed Manchester City.
Next Saturday, Aston Villa face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park at 13:30 GMT.
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