A group effort sadly.
Mon certainly started the rot off by walking away and that is unforgiveable in the light of this seasons inept showing (a decision which very possibly does haunt him). But Randy Lerner has to shoulder the lions share of the blame because he has shown a considerable lack of understanding about the game and how it works. He's already the owner of one major outfit, surely he ought to know its a case of serious pay-out for very little return?
Houllier, I'm afraid, is'nt the answer to our problems. Fanciful ideas, poor application and you can't instigate radical changes with players who are totally set in their ways. We should have gone for someone with more passion and belief in Aston Villa, not their own past.
And last, but certainly not least, the players themselves have to stand up and be counted. When that whistle goes, they are in command of their own destiny and whatever the outcome shall be. They might have issues with the manager, but ultimately their responsibility is to the club and its legions of supporters who blindly follow them, to great personal expense in each case. You expect desire, effort and emotion........which is why its hard to watch individuals coming up short. If WE hurt, I expect them to hurt too and I suspect there are those who do not?