Houllier agrees two-year Villa deal – report

Former France coach Gerard Houllier has agreed to join English side Aston Villa on a two-year contract, according to a report on the website of French sport daily L’Equipe on Tuesday.

Houllier, who coached Villa’s Premier League rivals Liverpool between 1998 and 2004, has not taken charge of a team since leaving Lyon in 2007.

The 63-year-old – who stepped down as France coach when they failed to reach the 1994 World Cup finals – is currently employed as the French National Technical Director, which means he oversees football policy in the country.

“According to our information, Gerard Houllier has given his agreement to join the English club Aston Villa,” read the report on the L’Equipe website.

“The current DTN (National Technical Director) was in England last weekend and he left on Monday evening.

“Negotiations between the two parties on Tuesday reached a conclusion over a contract with a duration of two years.”

L’Equipe added that Houllier was believed to want Phil Thompson as his assistant coach, having worked alongside him during his spell at Liverpool.

The paper added that Houllier’s arrival would be officially announced on Wednesday.

Villa, who finished sixth in the English top flight last season, have been looking for a new manager since Martin O’Neill left his post on the eve of the new campaign on August 9.