Villa boss tells pair to be patient
Saturday 19th February 2011, 11:29AM GMT.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier has urged starlets Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan to be patient for a recall.
The duo made a spectacular breakthrough at the start of the season under caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald but have struggled to recapture their early form.
Albrighton has made 26 appearances this term but has started just one of the last three games, while midfield pal Bannan’s last Premier League start came in the 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in December.
And Houllier has told them to trust him with their development.
“They have to understand that they have to build up their game,” he said.
“Sometimes they have to work and develop without pressure of a game. They must be confident about beating players, crossing and passing.
“(Lionel) Messi didn’t play every game straight away, it takes time. Young players have to learn the game, they can’t be starting every week.
“Their impatience is reassuring but it must not hold them back.”
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
