Aston Villa 3 Blackburn 1: Former Blade Walker tipped for England by Villa boss Houllier

Gerard Houllier believes Aston Villa loanee Kyle Walker has the potential to play for England.

England head coach Fabio Capello has been full of praise for Walker who has made the temporary switch from Tottenham to Villa Park for the rest of the season.

The former Sheffield United right-back spent the first part of the campaign on loan at Championship leaders QPR and has impressed since joining Villa.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Walker's forward runs caused all sorts of problems for Blackburn during Villa's 3-1 FA Cup fourth round success.

Houllier said: "I share Fabio's view that Kyle is a possible England player.

"I don't think he is the finished article yet. But we have given him the chance to play in the Premier League and he has taken it well.

"I think Kyle knows that he's got a lot of areas where he can improve.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"But what I like about him is his attitude, that he's eager to improve to progress.

"He's a modern day full-back, somebody who can defend and who can also get forward.

"These days the right-back now has got to be able to be a defender, to play like a midfielder and also like a winger."

Houllier made six changes against Rovers but Villa's recent improvement is such that they still won with ease through goals from Ciaran Clark, Robert Pires and Nathan Delfouneso.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Houllier said: "There is more joy, harmony, confidence around the side.

"I think we have improved physically and mentally. We are stronger with both of those.

"In previous games we used to concede goals at the end of games but now we score goals and we can hold on to results.

"In the last seven games we only have lost one game – and that was a match where we were down to 10 men (against Sunderland).

"I very much want us to improve further."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Villa remain confident they will sign Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Michael Bradley on loan for the remainder of the season. The United States international was due to have a medical yesterday.