Gerard Houllier hails Emile Heskey
Thursday 23rd September 2010, 11:00AM BST.
Jubilant Villa boss Gerard Houllier today hailed super-sub Emile Heskey’s decisive Carling Cup contribution and challenged him to win over the Villa Park doubters.
Heskey’s 58th-minute introduction proved the turning point in last night’s 3-1 victory over Blackburn, the striker levelling the scores within a minute of his introduction before playing a part in both of Ashley Young’s strikes to help hand his former manager at Liverpool a winning start.
Houllier said: “I know what he can do. I saw a few things in training which indicated he was in good form.
“With Emile it is a matter of confidence, like all strikers. He knows I like him. Don’t get me wrong, John Carew probably tired them.
“But the game is more now a game of 13 players involved rather than 11 or 12, so the attitude of the substitutes is very important.
“Emile came with the right attitude. Maybe it’s another challenge for him to win the heart of the fans again.”
Houllier still hopes to have Gabby Agbonlahor and Ciaran Clark available to face Wolves in the Premier League derby at Molineux on Sunday, despite the pair limping off.
The manager said: “The most reassuring thing Gabby said was it was his two calfs he felt at the same time. If it is one, it is a possible tear, but with two it is probably cramp or fatigue.
“He had the same against Vienna and could play the following game. Ciaran got a dead leg.”
Houllier was delighted to kick off his reign with a win and praised fans for sticking with the team.
He added: “Initially I didn’t hear them chanting my name! One of the staff said ‘you have to wave!’
“They were good because when we were 1-0 down, they kept supporting us.
“We have to improve, and we will, but it’s better to start with a win.”
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