He started every league game he was available for under GH except for one (West Ham away)...
he missed a few for suspension and didnt he pick upa little niggle and miss a couple?
Aside from the 3 match ban he received for his red card against Blackpool he started every game under Houllier's supervision, except the West Ham away game. Here are the full facts of Makoun's unhappy stay with Villa last season. It's just laughable that, on the basis of this, people are assuming his return would transform he midfield.
Man C H - Did not start
Wigan A - subbed off after 57 mins BOOKED
Blackburn H - Did not start
Man U H - Full game
Fulham - Full game BOOKED
Blackpool A - SENT OFF
Blackburn H - SUSPENDED
Man C A - SUSPENDED
Bolton A - SUSPENDED
Wolves H - Full game
Everton A - Full game BOOKED
Newcastle H - Subbed off
West Ham H - Sub not used
Stoke A - Sub not used
WBA A - - thigh injury
Wigan H - thigh injury
Arsenal A - Fit, not selected
Liverpool H - Calf injury
It's good you have such a history but forget to mention he was unavailable for the last two games as his family had suffered a car accident in Cameroon. I think the bottom line is he has not played enough games to be written off, or do we know he will be the answer, he is a very good player. Also Cabaye, did not hit the ground running took him about 5-7 games to get used to it.
Plus he didn't have clearance to play in either the Man City or the Blackburn games which have been listed there. So really there were two matches (WHU and Stoke) where he wasn't selected to start.