Newcastle United midfielder Stephen Ireland has rapped his Aston Vila boss Gerard Houllier.

Ireland's rejection by Houllier still burns deep.

He made just six starts at Villa Park after his £8million move from Manchester City and told So Foot: "I expected to have Martin O'Neill as manager but he resigned the day after I arrived.

"So just like at City I found myself in a squad where the coach hadn't chosen me. After 15 matches on the bench Houllier told me to stay at home.

"One of the few times I played was in August, and I was man of the match against Chelsea, but that didn't seem to matter to him.

"Then again, I have nothing against Houllier. After all, he wasn't the one who chose me."