AValon

Stoke may struggle against that line-up. Personally, I'd play Albrighton from the start and do the damage early on. then sub him later on for some height.

Who's dragging their heels here? SSN are still saying he's 'deciding' whether to take the job, but maybe its the club that are waiting till the death, just in case one of their top targets jumps ship?

Whatever, its gone on way too long now :yawn:

Not THE yellow scrolling bar!!!!

Sounds as if its all over. The one thing that can be said in its favour is the fact that Houllier HAS a certain amount of experience at the top.....I mean, its not as if his managerial history includes glittering, trophy-littered clubs like Charlton and West Ham? And, at least, he is the SORT of candidate we ought to be aiming for.

Whether he can be said to have been a success is probably down to the individuals perception of him and I must admit to being slightly indifferent. He might come here and be a resounding disaster, in which case there'll be a lot of told-you-so's and a new manager 12months down the line. Or, on the other hand, it could just work and in a couple of years time time we're playing Real or Barca in the group stages!

The fact is we DON'T know......not yet!

Given the care the club is taking over the appointment I think we should trust the process and avoid knee jerk reactions

Interesting.

I have seen this type of thing posted, that the club are taking care, or being thorough or making sure they leave no stone unturned etc etc etc

I personally do not believe that.

I just think they sre struggling to get anyone decent for not much money and are trying to make the best of a bad thing.

My concerns over Houllier/Macdonald/Staunton are not diminishing

Or are they allowing all manner of names to be thrown in the hat in order to force 'someones' arm?

If so, that might backfire on us big time?

Undecided on Houllier.....not unhappy, but not jumping through hoops either. I guess whoever gets the job will have their good points as well as bad and you have to be patient.

Would the DoF thing, with KM basically in charge of coaching the side as he is now, actually work though....or would it be better for Houllier to simply take the reins? I just hope KM does'nt become the first casualty of any new regime.

moyes just wont go away. cancelled an official everton photoshoot today due to 'personal business'

I'm loving this, Even though most of us know theres no way Moyes will ever go back on his word (to his credit), along comes yet another juicy titbit that makes you wonder if..........

Gerard Houllier lands job with Aston Villa: Ex-Liverpool boss set for sensational return to England

EXCLUSIVE By Neil Moxley

Last updated at 11:10 PM on 2nd September 2010

Comments (0) Add to My Stories 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.

Houllier has jumped to the top of Villa’s wish list after the club’s decision makers began their round of interviews this week.

Top of the pile: Gerard Houllier is set for a return to England

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.

However, the former Liverpool boss is now the hot favourite to take over at Villa Park as the club tries to move swiftly following an uncertain three weeks in the wake of O’Neill’s sudden exit.

It is as yet unknown in what capacity the Frenchman will return.

Interview technique: Alan Curbishley (left) and Sven Goran Eriksson were approached by Villa

Lerner and his chief executive Paul Faulkner were mindful that several of 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.

Houllier could be employed either as a manager in his own right or as a director of football with the brief to oversee a major overhaul of the club’s scouting and recruitment policy.

Out of the running: Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald (left) and Everton boss David Moyes were tipped for the post earlier this week

That area has been sadly lacking in the view of many connected with Villa and Houllier’s work with the acclaimed French academy at Clairefontaine would doubtless prove invaluable as the club seeks to move forward.

Finest hour: Houllier masteminded Liverpool's UEFA Cup win in 2001

Houllier, now 62, has struggled with his health in previous years, suffering a heart attack while in the dugout at Anfield during his six year stay at the club.

He 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, so the Frenchman has no fear of radical change.

Houllier spent more than £100 million during his time on Merseyside 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.

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 will satisfy Villa’s supporters as the club’s shortlist was resoundingly shy of star quality following O’Neill’s walk out.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1308543/Gerard-Houllier-lands-job-Aston-Villa-Ex-Liverpool-boss-set-sensational-return-England.html#ixzz0yPkskhSL

It still is'nt saying anything definite. The Mail are just trying to get the jump on the story...just in case it comes off.

I wish MON was still in charge

I don't.

He'd only be 'interested' in the Villa job for the simple reason he's out of one!

Curbishley has'nt got the credentials or the nous to take this club forward. We'd be 'safe'....but we would definitely stagnate.

Actually, the more I think about it, a Klinsmann/ KMAC arrangement with Kev taking on some kind of first-team coaching role does'nt sound so bad. JK certainly has the persona to attract big-names and KMAC could do what he does best, without being under the spotlight.

Just imagine, JK and Ash sharing classic 'diving' memories........what fun they would have!!!! :winkold:

According to a seemingly well informed article published at 20.30 on the Guardian website, Villa have a shortlist of 5 headed by KM. Apparrently RL & PF were interviewing a candidate yesterday so it is very feasible that RL's trip abroad is to do an interview.

The article is quite detailed so they definitely have an inside track - check out and tell me what you think?

In what way was it detailed?.....Just the interview?

Everything else that was said we already knew.

In fact every point has been mooted on this very thread at some point today. Inside track to who?

He's going to be evens for it because he's there doing the caretaker role, no other reason.

Does anyone think the club are "using" Kevin Macdonald as a distraction to the media. Him throwing his hat in, a lot of reports saying he'll get it, bookies favourite, whilst villa quietly go about getting their man.. are they being clever?

Interesting. He does seem to have been stuck out on a limb though.

KMAC obviously wanted the job all along but dithered too much to instil a great deal of confidence. Nice guy, but on reflection we need someone with more passion and ambition. But, will Randy recognise that....?

Got a feeling some hopes are going to get crushed here?

Its got to be a load of.......

At least the blue half of merseyside are crapping themselves tonite!

He's definitely not irreplaceable, but he's a honest grafter and you can't knock that.

Fan.

It would seem that they've understood the need for guidance and advice on the matter. I'm glad about that. The bit about Premier League experience can be open to question though?

4TH!!!!!! How on earth..........?

Unlucky!

Wasted cross.....again!

Excellent Young!

Ended the half well, but still pretty shaky.

Well stuck in Albrighton!