Gerard Houllier's Aston Villa job in doubt as illness returns with Frenchman in hospital

22 April 2011 07:02
Gerard Houllier will not be seen on the touchline again this season after the Aston Villa manager was admitted to hospital suffering from chest pains on Wednesday night. [LNB]Medics were running tests on the 63-year-old and those are expected to continue for the next few days. [LNB] Spell on the sidelines: Gerard Houllier will not return to the dugout this season[LNB] Health warning: Houllier was taken to hospital at half-time during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Leeds in 2001[LNB]The club's chief executive Paul Faulkner and assistant manager Gary McAllister visited Houllier at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday afternoon and found him in good spirits. [LNB]He even talked through the morning's training session with McAllister, who has been put in temporary charge.[LNB]But having had life-saving heart surgery in 2001 there must be doubts whether Houllier will ever regain sufficient health to resume his duties. [LNB]The former Liverpool manager had an 11-hour operation after suffering a ruptured aorta in October 2001 during a match at Anfield against Leeds United. [LNB]He went back to work after five months but has admitted several times since that he should have taken a longer convalesence and players said they believed he was never the same manager.[LNB]But Faulkner said: 'I've been to see Gerard and he sounded very positive. I've also received a lot of good wishes from fans and would like to thank them for their kind thoughts. They mean a lot to him.'[LNB]Villa owner Randy Lerner was made aware of the situation and was due to fly over from New York for Saturday's game with Stoke. [LNB] Pressure point: Is Houllier a victim of extra stress on bosses?Football managers will pay the price if they don't look after their health, warn expertsHealth scare over Gerard Houllier as Villa boss is taken to hospital with chest painsAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Gerard Houllier, Gary McAllister Places: Liverpool, New York

Source: Daily_Mail