Houllier ‘does not need surgery’

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has been told he will not require surgery after being admitted to hospital with chest pains.

The 63-year-old was taken to a hospital in Birmingham overnight on Wednesday.

Assistant manager Gary McAllister told reporters on Friday that Houllier would not need an operation.

Houllier had major surgery after suffering heart-related problems in 2001 while he was managing Liverpool FC.