Brad Friedel insists there is no player revolt at Aston Villa

Mar 27 2011 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

BRAD Friedel insists there are no new rules in place at Villa Park and laughed off suggestions he is in revolt against Gerard Houllier.

The veteran goalkeeper says the players are fully focused on guaranteeing Premier League survival and – not rebelling against the Villa boss.

Houllier was thought to have introduced new rules, including a ban on mobile phones in the dressing room, which led to speculation that a number of first-team players were unhappy.

But the American maintains that’s not the case and that the majority of rules currently in place have been there since he arrived at the club in 2008.

“There has been a set of rules here for as long as I have been at the club as there is at every club and probably most, if not all, work environments,” he said.

“The suggestion that I am in revolt – or any player is in revolt – over new rules is laughable.

“There are no new rules of any substance that I am aware of and the vast majority of what is in the rule book was agreed years ago.

“Supporters need to know there is nothing in this story.

“I’m committed to the club and our objectives and I’ve trained all week along with my team-mates who are not involved in internationals.”