Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has criticised triker John Carew following the 1-1 draw with Fulham on Saturday and will hold talks with the Norwegian this week.
Houllier has been eager to make changes at Villa Park since arriving in September and followed up his criticism of Stephen Ireland by challenging Carew to prove he deserves a new contract.
Norwegian international Carew, who is out of action for a month with a torn calf muscle, reacted angrily and in an interview in his homeland said he had been “insulted” by Houllier’s “provocative” comments.
Houllier responded by saying Carew was “stupid” and told him to stop “living in the past.”
The Frenchman added: “I like John but if the fans chant his name and the end product is nothing then fans will chant ‘Houllier go home’. So I have to make the choice sometimes.
”I’m not happy with his comments because they are disrespectful for the club, the fans, myself and his team-mates. I shall be speaking to him, of course.”
Carew had previously played under Houllier at Lyon before moving to Villa in January 2007 in a swap deal with Milan Baros.
