GH: I should have warned fans

Published Mar. 5, 2011 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Houllier stands by his decision to make eight alterations to his line-up for the fifth-round tie which Villa lost 3-0. But he accepts he should have made the 900 travelling supporters aware that he intended to field a drastically different line-up to the one in action against Blackburn last weekend. Only Ciaran Clark, Richard Dunne, who dislocated a shoulder during the game, and Brad Friedel survived in the starting line-up. Houllier said: "I am sorry. I should have warned the fans beforehand. "I made changes against Sheffield United and Blackburn in the cup in previous rounds and felt I had to again. "I thought we could beat City on the break. We put two very quick players on the wing, and the plan was Emile Heskey would drop deep. "We went there to win but unfortunately the first goal killed our players right away."