Gerard Houllier rushed to hospital

21 April 2011 13:19
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has suffered another health scare.[LNB]The Frenchman is in a 'comfortable' condition after being taken to hospital complaining of chest pains, although it is not believed to be a heart attack.[LNB]Houllier, who suffered a major heart scare 10 years ago while manager of Liverpool, felt ill on Wednesday evening and admitted himself to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital as a precaution. He also underwent a routine check-up with Villa's medical staff last week.[LNB] Scare: Gerard Houllier has health problems during his reign with Liverpool[LNB]History: Houllier pictured with Liverpool in 2001 before his heart problem[LNB]The 63-year-old had open heart surgery in October 2001 after suffering chest painsduring the game against Leeds. He eventually returned to work five months later.[LNB]Houllier, who spoke with Villa's chief executive Paul Faulkner at 7am on Thursday to reassure him about his health, is now expected to be kept in hospital for afew days.[LNB]Hi No 2 Gary McAllister will be in charge for Saturday's home Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.[LNB]A Villa statement read: 'The club can confirm that Gerard Houllier was admitted to hospital last night. He is in a comfortable condition and he wishes to convey his appreciation to Aston Villa supporters for their concern and good wishes.[LNB]'The manager spoke to chief executive Paul Faulkner this morning and he is currently undergoing tests. It is anticipated that he will remain in hospital for several days.[LNB]'Assistant manager Gary McAllister has taken training this morning and he will be in charge of the team for the game against Stoke on Saturday at Villa Park. The club's thoughts at this time are with Gerard and his family.'[LNB]Chief executive Paul Faulkner added: 'On behalf of the football club, (chairman) Mr Lerner and I wish to convey our best wishes to Gerard. I spoke with him this morning, as did Gary before he took training, and he sounded very positive.[LNB]'I've also received a lot of good wishes from fans and I would like to thank them for their kind thoughts in wishing Gerard a speedy recovery.[LNB]'I will see him this afternoon, along with Gary, and we will pass on the fans' messages. I know they will mean a lot to him. We would ask everybody to respect his privacy and that of his family at this time.'[LNB]Houllier's has come under fire from Villa fans on a couple of occasions this season and sections of them have called for him to be sacked. But results have improved in recent weeks with Villa climbing into the top half of the Premier League.[LNB] Winnings ways: Gabriel Agbonlahor is mobbed after scoring a late winner at West Ham on Saturday[LNB]Followinghis surgery in 2001, Houllier returned to full-time management but eventually parted company with the club in 2004. He then had a spell with Lyon before returning to full-time management with Villa in September as Martin O'Neill's successor.[LNB]When he took the position at Villa, Houllier revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job.[LNB]He said he had returned to speak to Dr Abbas Rashid, the man who led the team who performed an 11-hour operation on the Frenchman, and was given a clean bill of health.[LNB]'Whenyou go into a job you know there will be pressure, that it will be hardwork and you won't sleep every night,' said Houllier at the time. You need to make sure your body is ready. I have checked that. I am much healthier and fitter now than I was before.'[LNB]Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, Stoke boss Tony Pulis and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini have all wished Houllier well.[LNB]Dalglish sent him best wishes from his former club, saying: 'Of course our thoughts are with him. We don't know too much about it and there is no point in us being speculative.[LNB]'But your health is more important than anything, so we wish him well and I'm sure he is in the best possible hands. [LNB] Care: Houllier is being looked after at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham[LNB] 'Doc (Mark) Waller is there, who was the club doctor here when Gerard fell ill in 2001, so he's got a good guy beside him and I'm sure the people there will do everything they can to help. We won't be morose about it because we don't understand (the nature of Houllier's problem), but we send him our best wishes.'[LNB]Potters boss Pulis, whose side face Villa in Premier League action this weekend, said: 'Everyone in football will wish Gerard a swift recovery, we hope he is well and I am sure they will be looking after him, we have some fantastic medical people in this country and I don't know how bad it is but I am sure he will get well looked after.[LNB]'Pressure is part of the job, you get used to it. Irrespective of what medical care you get, nothing stops you from getting excited on the touchline or carrying the pressure on your shoulders if things aren't going too well.[LNB]'It's the players that win you games. If it's just happened, Gerard will have the team prepared and Gary McAllister works closely with Gerard so there shouldn't be too much disruption for them.'[LNB]Mancini added: 'It is not easy because, when you are under pressure, you can have some problems. But I hope Gerard comes out of the hospital very quickly because he is a big person, a big manager. He is my friend and I hope he can be on the bench in the next game.'[LNB] West Ham 1 Aston Villa 2: Last-gasp Gabby piles Ag-ony onto HammersUnder-fire manager Houllier handed lifeline by officials at Aston VillaAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Gerard Houllier, Gary McAllister, Martin O'Neill, Tony Pulis, Kenny Dalglish, Roberto Mancini Places: Liverpool, Leeds, Lyon

Source: Daily_Mail