Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier's key issues
New Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier will complete a shock Premier League return when he takes charge of his side to face Stoke on Monday.[LNB]The Frenchman has not been in management since leaving Lyon in 2007, winning two league titles with the French club following his Liverpool departure in 2004.[LNB] Welcome back: Gerard Houllier returns to the Premier League by taking charge of Aston Villa[LNB]Having finished sixth in their last three seasons, Houllier faces a stern test in replacing his predecessor Martin O'Neill. With this in mind Sportsmail looks at five big tasks he immediately faces at the club.[LNB] Sort through the dead woodMany players came and went during O'Neill's time at the club, but a few still remain having been denied first-team chances.[LNB]Multi-million pound signing Curtis Davies has been troubled with injury but, along with other crocks Fabian Delph and Steve Sidwell, he has failed to make a major impact in recent times.[LNB] Old favourite: Heskey was brought to Liverpool by Houllier and may find first team chances easier to come by[LNB]Many players who were on the scrapheap will see Houllier's arrival as a second chance and the Frenchman has several months to find some use from O'Neill's cast-offs.[LNB]Ensure future of Liverpool rejectsBrad Friedel was brought to Liverpool by Houllier's predecessor Roy Evans. But following Evans's resignation, the American stopper was sparingly used by Houllier before being given a free transfer to Blackburn.[LNB]Stephen Warnock will also be wary of Houllier, with the left-back loaned out twice and failing to make an appearance for Liverpool under the Frenchman's reign.[LNB] Dispensable: Bard Friedel and Stephen Warnock hardly featured during Houllier's time at Anfield [LNB]With both players a key part of Villa's starting XI, Houllier will need to ensure the pair he has confidence in them, as replacements will not be hard to come by, especially with a closed transfer window.[LNB]Proof in youthThe emergence of Steven Gerrard aside, Houllier's record for bringing through youth talent at Liverpool was relatively poor.[LNB]With the purse strings seemingly closed at Villa Park, he may have to turn towards younger talents at the club to take the club forward.[LNB] Potential: Marc Albrighton broke in to the first team under caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald[LNB]The emergence of Marc Albrighton should provide encouragement, while striker Nathan Delfouneso is a bright prospect that Houllier can get the best out of.[LNB]Win over players and supportersSenior players such as skipper Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and James Collins have all backed caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald to take the full-time job, leaving Houllier at a disadvantage from the start.[LNB] Not in favour: Skipper Stiliyan Petrov backed Kevin MacDonald to grab the Villa vacancy[LNB]Supporters will also be cautious over his mixed time at Liverpool. Despite a treble winning season and a season as runners-up in the Premier League, life at Anfield ended badly after two below average final seasons.[LNB]Players and fans alike will be cautious over his rustiness and he may find the league has moved on since his last appearance.[LNB]Better transfer dealingsWith money not available in the quantities it was at Anfield, Houllier will have to improve his hit rates with each of his purchases should he make any.[LNB] Big success: Signing unknown Sami Hyypia proved to be one of Houllier's managerial masterstrokes[LNB]In his time at Liverpool, for every Sami Hyypia and Dietmar Hamann there was a Bruno Cheyrou or Igor Biscan who would fail to live up to expectations.[LNB]If he does choose to buy his way out of trouble, he can not afford to be as wasteful. There is not much room for tolerance in the Villa transfer kitty. [LNB] I want to be like Houllier! Carragher hails former boss as his inspirationHoullier will be a hit at Aston Villa, insists former boss VenglosASTON VILLA FC news from across the web[LNB]
