Houllier set for Villa

Former treble winning Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is set for a dramatic return to English football with Aston Villa.

The Frenchman, who has been out of work for three years, has held talks with Villa owner Randy Lerner about succeeding Martin O'Neill.

And reports today claimed that Houllier is now the number one target for the Midlands club.

Alan Curbishley, Sven Goran Eriksson and caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald have all been interviewed following the club's 1-0 victory over Everton last Sunday.

But Houllier is now hot favourite - although it remains unclear whether Villa want the 62-year-old to be a manager or Director of Football.

Houllier suffered serious heart problems during his time at Anfield and it seems highly unlikely that Villa would want him to take over as manager and expose him to the considerable pressure that would accompany that position.

A much more plausible scenario would see Houllier work in tandem with caretaker bos Kevin MacDonald, who is regarded as an excellent coach but has failed to convince that he is management material during the five games he has spent in charge.

Villa owner Randy Lerner and his chief executive Paul Faulkner were mindful that several of Martin O'Neill's staff followed the Irishman out of the exit when he decided to call time on his four year stay at the Birmingham club.

O'Neill's staff - including assistant John Robertson, coach Steve Walford and chief scout Ian Storey-Moore - all quit at the same time, leaving Villa with a huge gap to fill just five days before the start of a new campaign in the Barclays Premier League.

Caretaker boss MacDonald and Everton boss David Moyes were tipped for the post earlier this week

But Moyes was never in the running while MacDonald has consistently stated that he wasn't certain he wanted the post permanently.

Houllier left Liverpool in 2004 after first assuming control with Roy Evans as part of a dream team that was put together to thrust the Reds back towards the top of English football.

Houllier's joint managership lasted just four months and he oversaw a complete overhaul of their squad after his first season at the club, signing seven new players and letting 10 go.

Paul Ince and Jason McAteer were victims of the new regime and Steve McManaman left when his contract expired, indicating that the Frenchman is unafraid of dramatic change.

Houllier spent more than £100 million during his time on Merseyside and was criticised for the quality for his later signings, but his finest moment came in 2001 when he landed a cup treble of the Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in the same season, adding the Charity Shield and European Super Cup for good measure.

Although there are funds available to spend at Villa Park, the transfer window has now closed but at least the lure of a recognised top name would satisfy Villa's supporters as the club's shortlist was resoundingly shy of star quality following O'Neill's walk out.

There were suggestions last night that Villa would make an appointment today but club officials have indicated a decision is not imminent.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.