Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has long been linked with a move for his former charge at Liverpool, Michael Owen.

But the Frenchman ruled out a January bid for the Manchester United striker, when he said: "No, no. In terms of some strikers Emile [Heskey] and John [Carew] will come back. There is no point. [But] We definitely need to sign one or two players in January."