Stewart Downing backs under-fire boss Gerard Houllier

Last updated : 01 April 2011 By Daily Mail

The England winger believes it is easy to blame Houllier and blame him for Villa's slump when the squad have to take responsibility.

Villa are only one point above the bottom three ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

Down and out? Downing is tipping his boss to revive Villa's fortunes

Downing is also adamant Houllier has not made any wholesale changes in terms of bringing in new rules and, in any case, players have to adapt to his demands.

The former Middlesbrough player said: 'The manager is fine. We all get on with him. It is easy to point at him and say 'it's his fault' because he changed a few things.

'I had it at Middlesbrough before. It was the manager's fault, it was the players' fault etc, it was his fault because he wanted to leave etc'.

'You've just got to stick together and blank it out because when it is going well, everyone will take the praise.

'It happens at every football club and we've got no problem with the manager.

'No matter who the manager is, it's down to the players at the end of the day to get results and not him.'

Feeling the strain: Houllier has reportedly struggled to keep his side in order

When asked about a mutiny in the squad, Downing said: 'It has been blown out of proportion. Little things go on at football clubs.

'It is easy to point and blame and make a big thing out of things when they are not going well.

'We all want to win, the players are all behind the manager and I don't see any problem.'

It has been reported that players were unhappy with new rules apparently laid down by Houllier, but Downing added: "I don't think there has been a lot of change.

'Every manager I have played under has different ways of going about it and arrangements, in training and in games.

'But I think you just adapt. You get used to it after two or three weeks here. There haven't been too many changes.

'I have enjoyed it, I am sure the other players have enjoyed it.'

Hard times: Downing suffered relegation with Middlesbrough before his move to Villa Park

Downing suffered the agony of being relegated with Middlesbrough two years ago before making the move to Villa.

But he is confident the Villa squad has more quality and should pull clear of the bottom three.

He said: 'Being relegated is a horrible feeling. This squad is a lot more talented than the one we had there at Boro.

'We had a lot of young kids then, and they had a right good go at staying up, and we are going to do the same here.

'I'm fairly confident we can get out of it. We know what we have to do.

'Relegation has not been spoken about amongst us.

'Yes, we are in a bit of a sticky situation and I'm confident we can get out of it.

'But it's no good talking about it, we have to produce it on the field.'

Set for a return? Villa's defensive duo Collins (left) and Dunne could be recalled at Goodison Park

Villa's defensive duo of Richard Dunne and James Collins are in contention for a recall at Goodison Park.

Dunne and Collins proved their fitness after shoulder and calf problems by playing for the Republic of Ireland and Wales respectively during the international break.

Right-back Kyle Walker is Villa's only injury concern with the slight hip problem which forced his withdrawal from the England squad.

Midfielder Ciaran Clark will complete a two-game ban for incurring 10 bookings this season.

?Everton v ASTON VILLA: Dunne and Collins poised for recallAston Villa plotting ?12m summer swoop for Blackpool's Adam All the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion

?Explore more:People: Stewart Downing, Richard Dunne, Gerard Houllier Places: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Wales

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail