Aston Villa veteran Robert Pires backs under-pressure manager Gerard Houllier & insists there is no ‘mutiny’ at the club

Robert Pires has backed manager Gerrard Houllier but admits he understands the fans’ frustration at Aston Villa’s position in the table.

Pires, who at 37 is one of the senior members of the team with his wealth of experience, has come out in support of his fellow Frenchman insisting that he has a proven track record in the game.

“His main quality is that he’s a man who loves his players,” Pires told the Telegraph.

“His priority is the team. Gérard is good because he has proved himself as a manager. He proved himself with Liverpool and in France with Lyon.

“I know the French manager. I worked with Arsène Wenger, now I work with Gérard Houllier. I know they are good. So it’s easy for me but I understand the fans – it’s difficult for them.

“He is the father, we are his sons and he protects his sons. People don’t know that about him, how human he is.

“The supporters aren’t used to seeing their team near the bottom. I want to ask the fans to have confidence in the team. We need them and they need us too. Together we are stronger.”

Pires also played down talk of a “mutiny” within the team towards Houllier, insisting that Villa are strong unit.

“Mutiny? No! Like a mutiny on a boat? No! My feeling is we are all very united. What happens outside the dressing room with journalists and agents, I understand it but it’s not very good for the team. But the dressing room is strong.”

There have been reports that the former Liverpool manager is too strict on his players, enforcing too many rules, including his crackdown on the use of mobile phones.

“We needed the rules,” said Pires. “It’s important. You don’t play with a mobile phone so why have one at training?

“When you arrive at the training ground, you need to disconnect and focus on training. That’s normal. You switch off the mobile for two hours. It’s nothing! When training is finished, you phone.

“Being at meal time on time is simple but important for the team. You need the discipline. Every top club is like that. With Arsenal and Villarreal it was the same – strict.

“Look at Real Madrid with Jose Mourinho – strict, Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson – strict.

“I realise it is a difficult season for the players and the fans. When you change the manager as Villa did with Martin O’Neill, it is difficult for everybody. But I am sure Villa will stay in the Premier League and next season will be a lot better.

“Of course, the players talk about the situation. That’s why we are going to battle right to the end – 100 per cent. I have confidence.

“When I see the dressing room it is unbelievable. When you have Petrov, Reo-Coker or Heskey, these players are important because they have big experience in the Premier League.

“Ashley Young’s a very important player for Villa. I understand that other clubs want Ashley because he’s very good. I like Ashley because he can play right, left or behind the striker. He has a good mentality. He talks to me about my experiences.

“He often asks how to ‘manage’ games. I know why I am here. I am here because Gérard needs me to help the younger players, to be a mentor. I tell them to be professional and focused.”

Pires has also noticed the increased standards in English football since his return from Spain.

He said: “The Premier League has become more technical. Managers change the mentality. Like Bolton. Before Bolton played the long ball, it was boring. Now Owen Coyle makes them play more.

“I think the French player needs the English player. For me, I need to practice the physical side. The English player needs to do a little bit more technically like the French, Spanish or Dutch players.

“English footballers need to be a little bit more tactical. In France, it is important to work every morning on the tactical. Wenger worked every morning on the tactical.”

Pires, who ideally would like to be in action more for Villa, is enjoying his football in the Premier League and admits he would like to carry on playing for the club.

“I haven’t talked to the club, I wait – I need to play – I am confident of staying.

“Clubs Qatar, Australia and USA have spoken to me but now my focus is Villa.

“I like England because you haven’t lost the word ‘respect’. In a restaurant or on the street, I am treated with respect. In France, it is difficult because the people are jealous because we play football and earn lots of money. In England, people never talk about the money.

“In England, football is a religion. In France, football is not a religion. It’s wine and food. Spain is similar to France. There’s jealousy. My priority was always to come back to England.”