Houllier cracks the whip

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has promised to maintain the momentum following another crucial victory.

The mood at Villa Park has been transformed in the past week following the £24m signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland.
Bent sparked the resurgence with a debut strike in Saturday's uplifting Barclays Premier League win at home to Manchester City and Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young followed up with the winning goals at Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
The 2-1 victory, completed after withstanding a late Wigan fightback in which James McCarthy struck, lifted Houllier's men six points clear of the relegation zone.
Houllier said: "The Manchester City game was very important psychologically for us, for many reasons.
"But we have got to stay focused and keep working, we don't take anything for granted in this league. Any team can beat any team.

"All I know is we are physically fitter and stronger and mentally stronger as well."

Mentally Progressed

Villa looked strong in attack at the DW Stadium, taking control in the 49th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor nodded home his first Barclays Premier League goal of the season.
Young added a second from the penalty spot after being brought down by Hendry Thomas on the hour and Villa held on despite McCarthy striking with the aid of a huge James Collins deflection.
Houllier added: "In the second half I thought we dominated most of the game, controlled it and passed the ball around.
"We probably deserved the lead and at 2-1, that is where I think the team has mentally progressed and improved.
"There was no sign of panic. They threw everything to get an equaliser but we stayed in place."
Houllier also acknowledges the shot in the arm the controversial arrival of Bent has delivered.
Houllier said: "Sometimes when you recruit a player it takes five or six games before he settles or scores a goal.
"Darren scored a vital goal against Manchester City and here I think he was very important in the offensive front."