Source: Daily_Mail
The Midlander: Gerard Houllier illness latest drama at Aston Villa
It was befitting of the messiest season experienced at Villa Park in a generation that it should end as it started.[LNB]In total confusion.[LNB]From Martin O'Neill's shock walkout through player bust-ups, bizarre team selections, a broken transfer record and now Gerard Houllier's health scare, it has been one roller-coaster ride.[LNB]With more downs than ups, it must be said.[LNB]If Randy Lerner thought that his ownership of an American football franchise would equip him to deal with the snake-pit of English football, he now knows otherwise.[LNB] Support: Randy Lerner (right) backed Gerard Houllier in the transfer market[LNB] More from Neil Moxley... The Midlander: Birmingham will fully appreciate Larsson once he's gone...15/04/11 The Midlander: Aston Villa must dodge the drop before hitting the crossroads07/04/11 The Midlander: Huge debt, threat of administration... life at Coventry01/04/11 The Midlander: Derby's honesty is commendable but they must stay up11/03/11 The Midlander: Birmingham fans must forget about the past and enjoy their big day out at Wembley25/02/11 The Midlander: Molineux moaners must look at the bigger picture18/02/11 The Midlander: West Bromwich should have appointed from within the club10/02/11 The Midlander: It could be another window of missed opportunity for West Brom04/02/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Aston Villa Football Club remains extremely fortunate to have this man at the helm. And Houllier has been a beneficiary of his sanguine stewardship, too.[LNB]When most - including this commentator - were howling for the Frenchman's head in the wake of the disastrous game against Sunderland, moves were afoot to obliterate Villa's transfer record with Darren Bent's ?24m capture.[LNB]It was a notice to the Holte End - and this commentator - that Lerner was backing his man.[LNB]Naturally, the protests subsided somewhat.[LNB]Only to start again with that ridiculous team selection at Manchester City in the FA Cup.[LNB]What on earth was the manager thinking? [LNB]But that is a different story. Other, more serious events have now overtaken it.[LNB]On a personal level, I've grown to like Houllier.[LNB]He's been grumpy on the odd occasion - which is unsurprising really, given the level of flak he's had to take.[LNB]For the most part, he has been charming and he certainly takes criticism with a good deal more grace than his predecessor.[LNB]But he can't even - really - claim a moral victory with the latest run of results that has dragged Villa out of trouble.[LNB]It didn't take a genius to spot that bringing back the likes of Stiliyan Petrov, James Collins, Richard Dunne and Luke Young would result in significant improvement.[LNB]Yet it took until Villa were teetering on the brink - at Everton - before common sense prevailed.[LNB]Now we come to the latest situation. Of course, everyone wishes the manager well.[LNB] Up in the air: Houllier may not return to his job at Aston Villa following his heart problems[LNB]But with regard to his latest heart problems, two cardiologists I've spoken to have said that Houllier would be taking leave of his senses if he were to return to work.[LNB]I understand that football can be a drug. Managers are in the game either for the love of it, the money or the ego-boost it gives them. Or a combination of all three.[LNB]I don't know what Houllier's motivation is. I don't know the man well enough. I suspect it isn't the money.[LNB]But I do understand two things. Lerner and his chief executive Paul Faulkner have a duty of care both to their employee and to the football club.[LNB]What would happen if - and this is not beyond the realms of possibility - the Frenchman returns to work.[LNB]So then, what would the consequences be if, in mid-November, he were to suffer a relapse? [LNB]All the summer transfer work would suddenly count for little, because there is no way that Villa's boss could return after a third scare. No way.[LNB] In the thick of it: Darren Bent has been among the goals since his move from Sunderland[LNB]Villa's owners would be faced with bringing in another manager, at a difficult time of year, who would no doubt want his own players in.[LNB]First, how much could that cost, purely in financial terms? And secondly, it would inevitably result in another disjointed campaign.[LNB]Houllier's assistant Gary McAllister is adamant that his boss will want to return to work.[LNB]That being the case, it could be time for matters to be taken out of the manager's hands.[LNB]If the medics are right - and two have given almost identical prognoses of his condition - it would be madness for him to return.[LNB]If Gerard Houllier wants to play Russian Roulette with his own life, that's his choice.[LNB]But I'm afraid the future well-being of Aston Villa Football Club cannot be caught up in it.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Martin O'Neill, Darren Bent, Stiliyan Petrov, Richard Dunne, Gerard Houllier, Gary McAllister, Luke Young
