What will bring Gerard Houllier back

Villa boss Gerard Houllier's approach to management changed forever after October 2001 but it certainly never lessened his hunger for a challenge.

Houllier collapsed during Liverpool's Premier League clash with Leeds at Anfield and was rushed to hospital at half-time, undergoing an operation on a condition known as an acute dissection of the aorta.

During that half-time - when he was being treated by Liverpool club doctor Mark Waller and physio Dave Galley after complaining of chest pains - Houllier was infamously more concerned with Emile Heskey who was receiving treatment for a first-half injury.

This was the embodiment of Houllier's commitment to success.

Fortunately, prompt recognition of the problem by Waller and Galley and emergency surgery saved Houllier's life.

At that time, Liverpool were chasing the Premier League title - they ultimately finished second - and were challenging in Europe in the Champions League.

His commitment to the cause even extended to attempting to manage the club from a telephone at the side of his hospital bed, with then-assistant boss Phil Thompson in the dugout.

Of course it is a stark contrast with the tough start to life at Villa, but his heart problems ensured Houllier knew when he had to take step back.

There was not even the merest hint of a problem when we spoke during the week - in fact on the back of two victories over Newcastle and West Ham he looked the most relaxed he'd been since joining the club.

Houllier was in a buoyant mood and full of jokes. He also spoke positively about his plans for the future of the club and certainly did not exude the signs of a man who looked stressed or under pressure.

Looking back at his period in charge of Liverpool when he fell ill, the Villa boss had become "wiser" for the experience and it changed his approach.

He said last year: "I felt indestructible then. I look after myself better now. When I need a rest, I take one. I listen to my body. I delegate more.

"I'm wiser. I used to worry about the things that were being written, that were being said by former players. Now I think I was stupid.

"I look at Sir Alex Ferguson, who is 68, and I feel good. He is right. As long as your health allows you to continue, I think you should.

"And, as you get older, and this is very important, you enjoy it more."

Houllier made an unexpected return to the dugout for Liverpool's Champions League game against Roma, just five months after his operation, on an emotionally-charged night at Anfield.

It strengthened the bond between Houllier and the Liverpool fans and the affection by which he is held by those on the Kop was captured by a huge banner which read 'Gerard's Heart Beats' when Villa played on Merseyside last November.

Of course, it's inevitable that a minority of Villa fans will now call into question whether the manager is physically up to the job.

When he took the position at Villa Park, Houllier revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job.

The Frenchman had returned to speak to Dr Abbas Rashid, the man who led the team who performed his 11-hour operation, and was given a clean bill of health.

He said at the time : "When you go into a job you know there will be pressure, that it will be hard work and you won't sleep every night.

"You need to make sure your body is ready. I have checked that.

"I am much healthier and fitter now than I was before."

How long Houllier will be on the sidelines remains to be seen, but he will be eager to return to work as soon as possible.

It's perhaps here, by his own admission, that the Villa boss will need to be reined in a little.

He said: "At Liverpool, I came back sooner because we were at a critical stage of the season. We were trying to progress to the latter stages of the Champions League. We were in the title race.

"I spoke to Phil Thompson and I thought, 'if I can make five per cent of a difference it has to be worth it.' We still finished second in the Premier League.

"But, in the March, I felt dead. I was so tired."

Initially it seems Houllier has only been taken into hospital on a precautionary basis and, even if he does not recognise his limitations, his wife Isabelle will be quick to keep him in line.

The Frenchman has gradually started to take Villa in the right direction, with increased professionalism on the training ground and a refreshing attacking style.

Undoubtedly the Villa fans and players will rally round ahead of the game with Stoke this weekend and, whatever your opinions on his credentials as a manager, the message will be the same from the world of football and beyond.

Get well soon Gerard.

By Timothy Abraham