Gary McAllister set to be Gérard Houllier's assistant at Aston Villa

Gary McAllister is close to becoming Gérard Houllier's assistant manager at Aston Villa. The Scot currently fulfils that role at Middlesbrough but is believed to be Houllier's choice to join him at Villa after Phil Thompson, among others, turned down the job. "There is [interest], I'll speak to Gary over the next couple of days," said the Middlesbrough manager, Gordon Strachan, who appointed McAllister in May 2010. Houllier described McAllister as "my most inspirational signing" when he signed him for Liverpool in 2000. The Frenchman now wants to take the former midfielder to Villa after being confirmed as the club's new manager on Friday, although his commitments as technical director with the French Football Federation mean he is unlikely to take charge until 26 September, when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Villa Park. Kevin MacDonald has managed the side for the past six games, including last night's 2-1 defeat at Stoke City, following the departure of Martin O'Neill just before the start of the season.