Blair on Villa

[Legion]

From Pravda:

Blair: Professionalism will see Villa through rough spell
Former star says "seasoned professionals" will mastermind a change in fortunes.

Andy Blair has backed Villa's management team to mastermind an upturn in fortunes going in to the New Year.

Blair, an AVTV summariser and member of the club's European Cup-winning squad, insists Gerard Houllier and his backroom team will use their experience and professionalism to steer Villa through a testing period.

"The management team at Aston Villa are seasoned professionals," he told AVTV.

"I often say that failure is not getting knocked down, it is staying down.

"They will not stay down, they will continue to battle and fight."

The former midfielder believes there is more to come from the talented bunch of youngsters in Houllier's squad - providing they are given the necessary support from the senior players.

He stressed the important role the more experienced stars have to play in helping the young lions through a tough spell.

"They can only get back on to that field of play and do the best they can and I am sure with the people that are leading at the helm there will be more to come from this emerging young squad," he added.

"The senior players have to also stand up and take responsibility and I am sure that the players we have witnessed this calendar year take us through some very, very good times can also make sure they see some of the youngsters through the rough period we are in at the moment."

Blair was on the mic for Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at Manchester City and admitted Villa left themselves facing an uphill battle after conceding three goals in 26 minutes.

"It was a very bad day," he added. "Clearly Man City have been going very well throughout the course of the season.

"We always knew that it was going to be a tough Christmas and New Year campaign having to face Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea.

"But three goals down in 26 minutes left us with too much to do."

[eastie]

Blair is on the payroll as is Woodward- would not expect him to say anything other than this.

[WikiVilla]

Typo? U mean Woodwank ?

[Cuz]

Lip service, load of bollocks, good young players etc etc WE AINT WINNNING you Tit!!!

[Risso]

Continue to battle and fight?  To continue to do something, don't you need to have started to do that thing in the first place?

[WikiVilla]

Blair is on the B6 payroll so ignore comments as they are not impartial

[darren woolley]

I totall agree with Risso.

[levico]

You don't expect ex-players to be deluded as well!!

[rutski]

on chatting with sid before when mon was boss he got stuck into the coaching and tactics very vehemently. It didnt seem to worry him criticising current managers so i dont think blair would do so either if his view were different!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm just pissed off it wasn't Tony Blair. Imagine H&V's favourite drama queen pulling his hair out, blaming Randy and the General if it was "Tony Bliar".

Talk about a missed opportunity.

[Martyn Smith]

Where can I watch AVTV? I've vaguely heard about it but have no idea where and how it is available...

[JUAN PABLO]

Houlier " what do you think we should do Mac to get a goal"

Gmac    " Get James collins up front "

[dave.woodhall]

A former Villa player, and current Villa employee, commenting on a Villa media outlet. He's not going to be criticial, and neither does he deserve to be abused.

[Simba]

Agree. A carefully crafted piece of PR speak from an employee. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing to get mad about.

However, I did like the little gibe hidden in the middle : "The senior players......." No hidden code there.

[old man villa fan]

What has he done to deserve the almost total negative comments.  Are we so against the club now that anything that comes out from a club source is viewed with total scepticism.

For me, the crux of the article is that the senior pros have to stand up and be counted and support the young players.  If people think this is just PR speak you are missing a very big reason why we are struggling this season.