Aston Villa fans react to appointment of Gerrard Houllier
Sep 9 2010 by Paul Suart, Birmingham Mail
IN the shadows of Villa Park diehard Villans in the Witton Arms pub greeted the drawn-out appointment of Gerard Houllier with a mixed response.
Noel Keehoe, a 43-year-old painter and decorator from Witton, has supported the club more than 30 years.
He said: “I think he is the right man.
“There’s not many good managers out there.
“Will he have the money to spend? That’s the question.”
Ron Paris, 75, a retired builder from Sutton Coldfield, said: “A big club like Villa and we can’t even get someone like Phil Thompson.
“You need Premier League experience else they don’t do any good.
“Houllier has that but it was a long time ago,” he added.
Ninety-year-old Eileen Compton, from Witton, said: “I’m sure he’ll do the best he can but I did like O’Neill – he was a really good manager.”
Eddie Hogan, 39, who started supporting the club in the early 90s, said: “He’s a good manager with a lot of Premier League and European experience which stands Villa in good stead.”
Opinion was also divided among Villa fans at Tyburn House in Pype Hayes.
Gail Dean, a 51-year-old season ticket holder from Castle Vale, said: “Houllier did alright at Liverpool but then went on a splurge of signings that didn’t really work.”
Retired engineer Dennis Chapman, 65, from Castle Vale, said: “I’d rather have (Kevin) Macdonald – he knows the players.”
