Board backing for Houllier

Houllier has endured a difficult week with Villa suffering a fourth successive defeat at his former club Liverpool on Monday.

He angered some supporters by joking after the game that if Villa had to lose 3-0, at least it was to the Reds.

Villa are only two points above the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League ahead of the home clash with West Brom.

But Faulkner insists Houllier has his full support - and that of Lerner - and said: "From my point of view, and from Randy's, it's 'as you were'. It's not even a vote of confidence because nothing has changed for us.

"We knew it was going to be hard and we are on a bad run. But the answer is to work even harder - and Gerard is doing that. Of course, West Brom is a massive game, it's a local derby, but everyone who cares for Villa should stick together."

Source: PA

Source: PA