Robert Pires admits Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is in a "delicate situation".
Arsenal legend Pires also claims the players are wracked with doubt having won only three of their last 14 Premier League games.
Pires said: "In terms of how we've played collectively, the statistics are there.
"We can't win a game and we're in a bad position, just one point above relegation.
"There's a lot to worry about, a lot of problems - especially for Gerard Houllier, who is in a bit of a delicate situation.
"Now we're entering a phase of doubt.
"Players are doubting themselves, find it hard to express themselves or simply don't want to express themselves too much. Gerard Houllier has a lot of work to do, that's obvious."
