Houllier leaves hospital

Houllier: Villa manager has been discharged from hospital

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier was discharged from hospital on Thursday evening, the club have confirmed.

The Frenchman admitted himself as a precaution one week ago after suffering from chest pains and has been under observation.

Houllier, who took charge at Villa Park in September, was forced to undergo life-saving heart surgery in October 2001 while at the helm of Liverpool.

Concerns

The 63-year-old is not expected to return before the end of the season and there is likely to be an important decision on whether he goes back to management amid his long-term health concerns.

Assitant boss Gary McAllister, who has taken temporary charge of Villa and will be in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to local rivals West Brom, insists the club already have contingency plans in place to cope with Houllier’s absence while he recovers.

The caretaker manager is hopeful Houllier will eventually make a return, but in the meantime is adamant the wheels will still be in motion at Villa regarding dealing with attracting new signings, players leaving and those who are currently out of contract.

McAllister said: “All these things that from the outside we seem to have to deal with over the next few weeks, we’ve been looking through already.

“Of course, it would be better if Gerard was here, but everything is place for things to move on.

“Whether it be attracting new players, or players coming to the end of their contract, a lot of decisions have already been made.”

McAllister added: “I agree with people who say the upheaval is unneeded but as a group we’ve become very close with the chairman (Randy Lerner) and chief executive (Paul Faulkner).

“There is a plan to move forward which is already there.

Plans

“I don’t have to give anything away, but I’m talking about people that might want to come here, people we want to try and attract here, people that want to stay, people that might have to find a club.

“We know the positions where we are strong but we also know where we need to strengthen. It’s ongoing and you’ve got to be like that, you’ve got to be prepared to go into the market and get these deals through.”

McAllister has been thrilled at the progress Houllier has made during the past week which has given him cause for optimism about his future, but accepts the manager himself will ultimately make that decision.

McAllister said: “Can Houllier return to management? That’s the big question down the line.

“That will be after he speaks to friends, family and people he respects but, most importantly, the doctors. There’s no rush to be made on that decision.”