Gerrard Houllier is poised to become the 25th manager in Aston Villa’s 126-year history when his appointment as Martin O’Neill’s successor is announced, probably today.

Houllier will be only the second foreign coach to take charge of the Midlands club after Jozef Venglos’s ill-fated spell two decades ago.

He is set to be named as Villa’s fifth manager of the new millennium after John Gregory, Graham Taylor, David O’Leary and O’Neill.

It will represent the end of a six-year exile from the Premier League for Houllier since his reign at Liverpool came to an end in May 2004.

Houllier, who has been working as France’s technical director, is expected to face the media for the first time in his new role tomorrow.

His first match in charge would be the away clash with Stoke City on Monday.

Houllier’s former Liverpool no.2, Phil Thompson, is expected to follow him to Villa Park.

When Villa started recruiting in earnest to replace O’Neill, they admitted that Premier League experience was high on their list of priorities and Houllier has that in abundance.

The former schoolteacher has been in management for 37 years and his clubs included Lens, Paris St Germain and, after leaving Anfield, Lyon.

He joined Liverpool in July 1998 and won the UEFA Cup, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a European Super Cup during almost six years at the helm.

He had more than a 50% winning rate from his 325 matches in charge as Liverpool’s first non-British manager.

Houllier, who was awarded an honorary OBE for his services to British football, suffered heart problems during the end of his term with the Reds. But the 63-year-old looked in prime condition when seen at Jamie Carragher’s testimonial on Saturday.

Thompson has worked as a pundit with Sky Sports for the past six years since leaving Anfield.