ASTON VILLA NEWS

Villa boss Houllier urges Ireland to work harder

By ESPNsoccernet staff

November 1, 2010

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Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has told Stephen Ireland he must improve his work-rate and ball retention if he is to earn a regular place in the team.

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Stephen Ireland joined Villa in the deal that took James Milner to Man City

Ireland, a summer signing from Manchester City, was left on the bench for Sunday's derby draw with Birmingham as Houllier preferred to play Ciaran Clark in midfield, before then bringing on youngster Barry Bannan for Steve Sidwell in the second half.
That prompted enquiries as to why Ireland had been ignored, and Houllier responded in forthright fashion as he identified weaknesses in the midfielder's game.
"He needs to work harder," Houllier said. "He played against Chelsea and did well but against Sunderland he was not good enough for me. Simple as that. Skill is one thing but you need to compete as well.
"It's a difficult period for him but the club will support him in that. He's come to a new club and then has a different manager.
"We know he is a good player, although I don't want to have someone who you say 'He is a good player but he loses too many balls'. He needs to get rid of the buts about him. He needs to work harder, his touch of the ball, his defensive effort."