Houllier’s olive branch to Dunne and Ireland

EMBATTLED Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier yesterday revealed he is willing to give Stephen Ireland and Richard Dunne a chance to revive their Aston Villa careers.

Houllier criticised Ireland’s work-rate earlier this season after the shock exit of Martin O’Neill while Dunne is reported to have clashed with the Frenchman’s assistant Gary McAllister.

The duo, along with John Carew and Habib Beye, were absent from Villa’s recent defeats to Tottenham and Manchester City, prompting speculation they could be on their way out of the Midlands club this month.