Aston Villa Football Club have confirmed the appointment of Gerard Houllier.

The Midlands club have been without a permanent manager since the shock departure of Martin O’Neill, just before the 2010-2011 season kicked off.

Kevin MacDonald has been in charge in a caretaker capacity and has steered Villa to fourth place in the Premier League, but Randy Lerner has turned to Houllier.

The 63-year-old, who led Liverpool to the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001, has spent the past three years as National Coaching Director with the France Football Federation.

He admits it was a difficult decision for him to leave the FFF, but he has revealed the lure of a return to the Premier League was ultimately too strong to resist.

“I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club," said Houllier. "It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF, but I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.

“Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on."

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