GERARD Houllier has vowed that Villa’s brave defeat at Old Trafford will not knock the claret and blues out of their stride after their recent revival.

Last night’s 3-1 reverse against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League title favourites was Villa’s first setback since the depressing loss at home to Sunderland in early January.

Since then Houllier has transformed the mood with two league wins, two FA Cup victories and four exciting signings, Darren Bent, Jean Makoun, Kyle Walker and Michael Bradley.

And he took enough positives from last night’s performance to give him encouragement ahead of Saturday’s home match against Fulham.

“Our overall performance was good,” he said. “I like a team to try to the end and they did that. The spirit is there and that’s something to work on for the future. There are two ways of looking at it.

“We’re disappointed with the result but the players can take some pride in their performance. We have to acknowledge we were beaten by a side who played brilliantly.