Lerner talks lift Houllier

Houllier: Backed by Lerner

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has described a meeting with owner Randy Lerner this week as 'positive'.

The Frenchman has made a disappointing start to his reign, with Monday's 3-0 reverse at Liverpool leaving Villa just two points above the relegation zone.

Houllier called off a scouting mission to hold talks with his backroom staff about what could be done to improve the current situation, while he also met with Lerner.

Chief executive Peter Faulkner insisted earlier this week that club bosses were fully behind Houllier and the manager admits he was buoyed by the discussions.

"We were supposed to go to France after the Liverpool game because I wanted to see a Champions League game on Tuesday night," said Houllier.

"But I cancelled that and stayed with the team and stayed with the staff.

"We had a lot of meetings because we are concerned with what is going on.

"In one of those meetings there was an encounter with the chairman. It was extremely positive.

"He knows we are going through a bad run. You've got to stick together and push up - as simple as that."

Collins

Houllier is taking no disciplinary action against defender James Collins over having a meal in Birmingham on Saturday evening less than 48 hours before the Liverpool game.

He said: "I had a word with James about that. It was a Saturday night and we were playing on Monday.

"He was in a restaurant with his wife, that is what he told me. His wife was there as well.

"Apparently there was no drink, no problems. He said he was having a meal with his wife. We believed him. No disciplinary action has been taken."