We’re hearing from Goal UK and L’Equipe that Mr. Houllier has signed a two-year deal to be the new sideline-stepper at Villa Park. Make of that what you will, though as long as he doesn’t do stupid things like signing El Hadji Diouf and Igor Biscan, it can’t be a bad appointment.

But does he wear tracksuits?
@TFA: HUH? No, he’s a suit-and-tie type.
Oh, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Dear Lord, let the Villans come in for El Hadj Diouf and sign him under some rare rule exception so that I never ever have to see him in a Rovers kit again…