Villa announce new boss

(09-09-2010) Gerard Houllier was on Wednesday named as the new manager of Aston Villa. The Frenchman succeeds Martin O'Neill who walked out on the club in July. The move sees the 63-year-old Houllier return to the EPL after a six-year absence since ending his reign at Liverpool. After a successful spell with Lyon from 2005-07, Houllier has spent the last few years working as technical director for the French Football Federation. "I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club,” said Houllier in a statement. "It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the French Football Federation. But I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired. Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans.”