Houllier plans return to Villa hot seat

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has targeted a return to work with Aston Villa – after doctors reassured him that his recent health scare was nothing to do with his job.

He expects to be back at the helm for pre-season training as early as July 7.

He is already lining up a raft of transfer deals ahead of the new season. Houllier, 63, has been on sick leave from Aston Villa since April 20 after suffering chest pains, but hopes to get a final go-ahead from doctors to return to work over the next few days.

A close friend said: "He is now more active, taking walks, and is waiting for them to clear him. He is very keen to get on with things.

"He has been working on his transfer targets for some time now and wants to recruit some new players to strengthen the team."

There had been fears at the club that the pressures of management might have been too much for Houllier to return to the Villa Park hotseat, with Gary McAllister acting as caretaker manager in his absence. But the Daily Express understands that doctors have now indicated this is not the case.

Our source added: "This had nothing to do with stress - and it could happen in any job."

Source: Daily Express

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