Aston Villa: Gerard Houllier targets Champions League and silverware when he finally gets started at Villa
Sep 11 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
GERARD Houllier is relishing striving to revive Villa’s dual dream of Champions League football and silverware – when the new boss finally gets cracking at the end of the month.
Houllier maintains that a top four finish and a trophy will be his ultimate targets upon signing a three-year contract and kick-starting his claret and blue reign in a fortnight.
The Villa Park faithful will be delighted that he has lofty ambitions after clarifying previous comments that Villa were traditionally a ‘seventh-to-twelfth’ placed Premier League club.
But there is concern that uncertainty remains over his exact starting date with Houllier fulfilling existing commitments with the French Football Federation for the time being. It means caretaker Kevin MacDonald, who has rejected an assistant boss’s role to return to managing the reserves, will continue in temporary charge until further notice.
Houllier will watch Villa’s visit to Stoke on Monday on the television in France, but will be sat in the stands at Villa Park a week today to take in the match against Bolton.
The Frenchman hopes to be in post to pick the team for the Carling Cup tie against Blackburn on September 22, but cannot guarantee it or the league game at Wolves on Sunday 26.
Although Villa’s board accept it is a far from an ideal situation, they hope Houllier’s impressive press conference yesterday will have whet fans’ appetite for the new manager’s delayed arrival.
“In the three years, I think the club will be extremely happy if they get in the top four, Champions League at some stage,” said Houllier. “That is my initial target.
