Villa sink Albion to ease pressure on Houllier

Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey eased the pressure on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as their goals clinched a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Downing’s first half strike set Villa on their way to only their second win in 11 matches and helped boost Houllier’s popularity levels after his Liverpool love-in.

And Heskey notched a fortunate second ten minutes from time at Villa Park to secure a memorable end to a nightmare seven days for the under-fire Houllier, even though there was a late scare when Albion’s Paul Scharner scored in the final moments.

Former Liverpool manager Houllier has been subjected to fierce criticism after applauding his old fans and ignoring Villa’s supporters on his return to Anfield in a 3-0 defeat on Monday. He also claimed if he had to lose to anyone it would be Liverpool.

Houllier apologised for his disastrous PR gaffe but despite this vital victory there was not a single chant of recognition for the Villa boss.

Houllier admitted in his programme notes the defeat at Liverpool had left him “very, very hurt”. But it was his own performance at Anfield that had served to pile even more pressure on his shoulders.

The Frenchman made five changes to the team humbled at Liverpool – and appointing Ashley Young as captain suggested a charm offensive.

Richard Dunne was dropped to the bench after a string of poor displays while Stephen Ireland didn’t even make the squad.

Albion had not beaten Villa since May 1979 but they started brightly.

Chris Brunt fired the hosts an early warning when he cut inside the Villa area and screwed a shot narrowly wide.

Somen Tchoyi came even closer with a typically mesmerising run in the 21st minute. The Cameroon winger beat Stephen Warnock twice on the edge of the area before bending a spectacular shot against the crossbar.

Villa appeared there for the taking until they took the lead completely against the run of play four minutes later.

Marc Albrighton broke down the right and his cross was flicked on by Young to Downing at the far post and he couldn’t miss.

The relief was palpable even though Houllier barely flinched on the touchline.

Albrighton was inches away from increasing Villa’s lead ten minutes into the second period as he glanced Downing’s cross wide.

But James Morrison missed a glorious opportunity to level shortly afterwards, blasting wide after Gonzalo Jara’s scuffed shot created panic in the Villa box.

And Heskey made Albion pay for their profligacy when he luckily got his head on Albrighton’s searching cross.

Houllier’s men clung on despite Scharner’s header in injury time.