Source: Daily_Mail
Gerard Houllier set to make Gary McAllister Aston Villa No 2
Gary McAllister looks certain to join Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa this week despite Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan's efforts to convince his first-team coach not to quit.[LNB]The Frenchman has contacted the Championship club to take his former Liverpool midfield linchpin as his own No 2 and Strachan now seems resigned to losing McAallister. [LNB]The Boro manager said: 'There has been contact between the clubs. Gary and myself will talk about it.' [LNB] Reunion: McAllister is set to link up with new manager Houllier at Villa Park[LNB]Strachan offered the man he made skipper at Coventry City a route back into the game after he was sacked by Leeds United but it is unknown whether McAllister will be allowed to join Houllier. [LNB]He had a base in Leicestershire until recently but has since relocated his family to Yorkshire to cut down on the commute to Middlesbrough's training base at Hurworth. [LNB]Houllier has turned to McAllister because the other man thought to be in contention, Dietmar Hamann, has decided he wants to continue his playing career for as long as possible with MK Dons. [LNB]With Patrice Bergues, Kevin MacDonald and Phil Thompson having already ruled themselves out of the running, Houllier could do with making a swift appointment.[LNB] Ex-Liverpool star McAllister is the man for new Aston Villa boss Houllier Stoke 2 Aston Villa 1: Huth is on fire in fitting comeback win for sad boss PulisUpbeat Downing tips new manager Houllier to shine at Aston Villa Houllier to offer Manchester United striker Owen an Aston Villa lifelineFormer Liverpool boss Houllier had heart tested before accepting Villa job ASTON VILLA FC
