Under-fire Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has received support from chief executive Paul Faulkner.
Villa supporters have called for Houllier’s sacking with the club now just one point above the Premier League’s relegation, making their feelings known before, during and after the 1-0 defeat to Wolves at the weekend.
But Faulkner insisted: “Our best chance of staying up is with Gerard.”
Meanwhile, club director General Charles C. Krulak, the right-hand man of owner Randy Lerner, has attempted to rally the supporters with a post on fansite, Villa Talk.
Krulak, a Vietnam war veteran, said: “When my Marines put on their uniforms and the emblem of the Corps and went into battle and things got tough, they did not fight for their Commander, they fought for their brothers-in-arms, the men wearing their uniform and emblem.
“When a player puts on a kit and wears the club badge, I would expect the same.
“We have very good lads who know how to play with passion. We have all seen them do it and have cheered them on. They are professionals who have given 110% in many games.
“What we need now is to quit pointing fingers and everyone look at the Claret and Blue of our kit and the badge they are wearing and go out and kick the c**p out of the next teams we play until the end of the season!”