Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Friendships aside for Gerard Houllier
Friday 15th April 2011, 11:05AM BST.
Villa manager Gerard Houllier has admitted he has to forget his friendships with other managers as his side pull clear of the drop zone with a win over West Ham.
The Hammers find themselves in deeper trouble than Villa in the relegation places and, although Houllier sympathises with the plight of Hammers boss Avram Grant, the Villa boss knows where his priorities lie tomorrow.
He said: “I know Avram well. I have met him through football because obviously he was in charge of Chelsea at one time.
“But the job of a manager is to be a realistic and you always have to look after your own club first – it will be the same for every manager in the league even if they are your friend.
“We fight for points and for places although we are also man enough remain friends. But for those 90 minutes we cannot be friends and do favours for each other.
“We have to focus on getting the points at West Ham and getting points from all of the remaining games we have left.
“Sometimes it will be the team that shows the most desire that wins and we must show that.”
Houllier also played down the influence of Glenn Roeder on his tactical plans ahead of the trip to Upton Park.
Former West Ham boss Roeder has been doing some occasional scouting work for the club but the Villa boss insisted his role is only a small one.
He added: “Glenn just does little bits for me. He goes the games and I ask him about a few things.”
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