Changing times in Premier League but Houllier’s tinkering doesn’t add up

HAVING fielded just 14 players throughout the entire campaign the last time they won the title, Aston Villa is not a club to which squad rotation has always been a familiar concept.

Unfortunately for Villa fans, nobody seems to have told Gerard Houllier.

A week ago things were looking good for Villa — they’d just beaten Blackburn 4-1 to ease towards mid-table, and an FA Cup quarter-final place was in the offing. Seven days and 16 team changes later, they’re faced with nothing but a potential survival battle.