Houllier taken to hospital

Houllier: Villa manager in hospital after being taken ill on Wednesday night

Sky Sports News understands Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is in a comfortable condition in hospital after being taken ill on Wednesday night.

The Frenchman, who has been in charge at Villa Park since September, will remain in hospital for the time being and is hoping to be released soon.

Former Liverpool boss Houllier was forced to undergo life-saving emergency heart surgery in October 2001 after complaining of chest pains at half-time of the Anfield outfit's Premier League game with Leeds.

The 63-year-old made a fully recovery from an 11-hour procedure to repair an aortic dissection and returned to the dug-out in March 2002.

Houllier has endured a difficult campaign back in Premier League management with Villa sliding into a relegation battle, although recent victories over Newcastle and West Ham have seen the Midlands club reach the 40-point mark.

Villa are due to play host to Stoke at home in the Premier League on Saturday and it remains to be seen whether Houllier will be able to sit in the dugout for the weekend clash, with assistant boss Gary McAllister standing by.

The veteran tactician left Liverpool in May 2004 and had a two-year spell in charge of Ligue 1 outfit Lyon from 2005-2007 before taking a role with the French Football Federation prior to being tempted back into English football.

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Villa boss Houllier in hospital

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has been admitted to hospital, the club has confirmed.

The 63-year-old was taken to hospital in Birmingham overnight.

He has spoken to the club's chief executive Paul Faulkner and his condition is said to be comfortable.

Assistant manager Gary McAllister will take Thursday's training session. Houllier has thanked supporters for their concern.

He is expected to remain in hospital for a couple of days as a precaution and it is anticipated McAllister will take charge of the team on Saturday for their game against Stoke at Villa Park.

Mr Faulkner said Houllier sounded "positive" when he spoke to him.

"I've also received a lot of good wishes from fans and I would like to thank them for their kind thoughts in wishing Gerard a speedy recovery," he said.

"I will see him this afternoon, along with Gary, and we will pass on the fans' messages.

"I know they will mean a lot to him. We would ask everybody to respect his privacy and that of his family at this time."

'Healthier and fitter'

Houllier had major surgery after suffering heart-related problems in 2001, whilst manager of Liverpool FC.

He arrived at Villa Park in September to succeed Martin O'Neill.

When he took the position Houllier revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job.

He said he had returned to speak to Dr Abbas Rashid, the man who led the team who performed his 11-hour operation, and was given a clean bill of health.

"When you go into a job you know there will be pressure, that it will be hard work and you won't sleep every night," he said at the time.

"You need to make sure your body is ready. I have checked that. I am much healthier and fitter now than I was before."

Villa have been hovering around the relegation zone in recent weeks, although they have won their past two matches and the club previously said Houllier had their "total support" as he attempts to guide them to Premier League safety.

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Houllier - Villa are united

Houllier is set to recall James Collins and Richard Dunne for Saturday's trip to Everton after the defensive duo were fined two weeks' wages.

The pair were disciplined by the club for their behaviour towards members of the coaching staff during a team-bonding session at a health spa three weeks ago.

Collins (calf) and Dunne (shoulder) were ruled out through injury but proved their fitness when on international duty this week with Wales and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.

And Houllier is adamant the spa incident is now firmly behind all involved as Villa focus on their last eight games of the season.

"The only thing I can say is that the events are finished," said the Villa boss. "It has been dealt with, it is gone and over.

"The players expressed their will to the club and to myself that they want to give their best for their fans and the club. It is good.

"They were unfortunately both injured for the last game against Wolves but they are available after playing for Ireland and Wales.

"If they are fit, they will play. It is as simple as that because they are personality players and they have the club at heart. They also have strong experience."

Villa fans unveiled a banner reading 'Houllier out' even before losing 1-0 to Wolves, which was Villa's first defeat by their local rivals since March 1980 and left them just one point above the bottom three.

The Frenchman, who was appointed as Martin O'Neill's successor last November, insists he is committed to seeing the job through though.

"Everyone is entitled to think what they want but I took the job because it was a challenge," he said.

"The challenge is bigger now because of what happened but sometimes you battle to get in Europe or a cup.

"Here we are battling adversity together. Together - that means the team, the staff, management, the owner, chief executive, the fans, everybody.

"The fans play an important part," added the former Liverpool boss. "When the fans show the banner, you are not very happy about that.

"But I came here because I've got pride in being at this club. I said that straightaway and that hasn't changed.

"I've got pleasure in what I'm doing. It's not because things are not particularly easy. Sometimes you go through hard times at this job. I've got a challenge -the challenge is eight games - and the unity is there."

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Aston Villa Hope to Replace Gerard Houllier With Everton Manager David Moyes

Villa Park to turn to Goodison Park boss this summer?

Aston Villa will put Everton manager David Moyes top of their short list this summer, with Gerard Houllier set to leave even if the club survive in the Premier League.
Chief executive Paul Faulkner said their ‘best chance of staying up is with Gerard’, but they have reserve-team boss Kevin McDonald available as a caretaker if results continue to slide.

SOURCE: Daily Mail

Would David Moyes elect to leave Everton for Villa Park? Would this be wise move? The Scot has made no secret about his displeasure at having to operate within very strict budgetary constraints, but would a move to Aston Villa not also have it’s own problems to deal with?

Moyes arrived at Goodison Park on March 14 2002 and has taken them to six top eight finishes in his eight full seasons, which is pretty good going and one can see why Randy Lerner would consider trying to nab the former Preston man, but is it a move that will appeal to the 47 year old Glaswegian?

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