Big Ron scoffs at suggestions of dressing room revolt under Gerard Houllier

Sep 10 2010 by Mat Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

RON Atkinson has scoffed at suggestions Gerard Houllier could face a Villa dressing room revolt led by the players he released from Liverpool.

There were fears Brad Friedel and Stephen Warnock could be upset by the arrival of the man who deemed them surplus to requirement at Anfield.

But former Villa boss Atkinson believes his latest successor in the claret and blue hotseat will give all the players a clean slate.

Houllier also worked with Emile Heskey after signing him from Leicester and sanctioned John Carew’s transfer to Villa from Lyon.

“I think it’s bygones,” said Atkinson. “I think the first thing you say to everyone is that circumstances change.