Gerard Houllier hits back at Villa star

Former Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has hit back at Gabby Agbonlahor after the striker cricitised him and Gary McAllister.

The 24-year-old forward revealed last week that he would have quit Villa if Houllier remained in charge of the club and questioned the training methods employed by the pair.

But the Frenchman, who quit the club with health problems, defended his tenure at Villa Park and dismissed Agbonlahor's comments.

Houllier said: "Gary was a top coach. He was an assistant but also a great coach, There was a lot of variety and quality in his training sessions.

"He was working on games with an aim, whether it was ball possession, shooting, and he was a modern coach. He would put in physical work as well.

"I was a bit surprised that one player was having a go at his training sessions because, to me, he is a modern and very good coach and, in fact some players really improved."