Former Liverpool coach Houllier returns to England as Aston Villa manager

Houllier returns to England as Villa manager

BIRMINGHAM, England — Aston Villa has appointed Gerard Houllier as manager, bringing the Frenchman back to England’s Premier League after a six-year absence.

Villa announced on its website Wednesday that Houllier agreed to replace Martin O’Neill, who quit last month.

The 63-year-old Houllier left his post as technical director for the French Football Federation.

Houllier won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and two League Cup trophies in a six-year stretch with Liverpool that ended in May 2004. He took over Lyon a year later and led it to the French League title in each of his two years in charge.