We did nothing wrong, insists Houllier

GERARD HOULLIER insists Aston Villa have “done things the right way” and has hit back following Steve Bruce’s attack on the club’s conduct during the signing of Sunderland striker Darren Bent.

Houllier says he bears no grudges over the verbal attack from Bruce but claimed “some people are not telling the truth”.

The former Liverpool boss defended his decision not to make contact with the Black Cats boss when trying to sign Bent, who moved for a club record £18m.

Houllier is also adamant Villa did nothing wrong in their attempts to sign Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, despite Ian Holloway’s outbursts.

Houllier, when asked about Bruce’s comments, said: “We have done things extremely right, properly, the right way. Paul Faulkner, our chief executive, was in contact with Niall Quinn (Sunderland chairman) and I was kept informed, step by step, during the negotiations. I thought, would assume, Niall did the same with Steve Bruce – unless he didn’t.

“I was surprised by some of the declarations and thoughts, some people are not telling the truth. Whether they want to protect themselves from the fans, I don’t know.

“We are happy to have the player, they had the right to say no. But, in fact, they just wanted the player for a certain bid.”

Houllier added: “I have not spoken to Steve – and I won’t. I may have a drink after the games. I am not bearing grudges.

“If I call him and say I want his player, he will go vocal and go public and it will be even worse.

“He is working for the interests of Sunderland, I am working for the interests of Aston Villa.”

Regarding Holloway’s claims, Houllier repeated: “We did things right. We went straight to the club, we were quiet, we said nothing and finally it comes out in the press but not from Aston Villa. Holloway said we were insulting them. We made a bid, they said no and we respect that.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has insisted the Black Cats will get over Bent’s departure, and quickly.

He said: “Make no mistake, any club is bigger than one individual and the club will always – always – march on. That’s my determination. Yes, we have had a setback and it’s probably our first one in the 20 months I have been here, but we will need to be bigger and stronger.

“Certainly with the money it has generated, it gives me a chance to improve the squad in the long term. But we will have to be a little bit patient for that.”