Houllier's going for Kop partner

Gerard Houllier will consider reuniting with former Liverpool assistant Phil Thompson when he completes his return to English football with Aston Villa in the next 48 hours.

Thompson was Houllier's No2 at Anfield during his six-year reign and is set to move to the Midlands club with the Frenchman.

Villa are on the verge of appointing Houllier as Martin O'Neill's permanent replacement.

He is expected to be offered a traditional managerial type of role, but caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald, who is popular with the players and has chairman Randy Lerner's support, is likely to stay at the club and could still have a role with the first team.

Houllier, who turned 63 last week, refused to be drawn on the subject of the Villa job when questioned after attending Jamie Carragher's testimonial at Anfield on Saturday.

He left Liverpool six years ago and has been employed as his country's technical director since parting company with Lyon in 2007, but he has come under fire after France's disappointing World Cup.

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