Phil Thompson performs Villa u-turn

Gerard Houillier plans for his Aston Villa reign have been hit by Phil Thompson declining the chance to be the Frenchman's No.2.

Former Liverpool boss Houllier,63, is due to be appointed Villa's new manager today ahead of a press conference tomorrow.

Houllier is seeing the French Football Federation's president today to resign from his position as technical director.

But his arrival at Villa Park to become Martin O'Neill's permanent successor has received a cool response from dubious supporters.

And now it has emerged Thompson, his trusted lieutenant from their days at Anfield, is unlikely to be joining him in the Midlands.

Thompson, 56, is a pundit on Sky TV's popular Soccer Saturday programme where he earns up to £3,000 an appearance.

Thompson initially told Sky chiefs on Sunday he expected to leave the company to return to coaching.

But now the Scouser has done a U-turn and decided against leaving the comfort of the TV studio.

It gives Houllier a headache but means caretaker Kevin MacDonald is likely to continue working with the first team squad.

Villa owner Lerner is believed to want to groom the club's successful reserve team MacDonald for eventually succeeding Houllier.