Aston Villa line up Rafael Benitez to replace Gerard Houllier as manager – report

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool (Getty Images)

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Aston Villa are lining up a shock swoop for former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez to replace under pressure Gerard Houllier.

Houllier has proved to be an unpopular choice at Villa Park since replacing Martin O’Neill at the start of the season, and it is thought that time is running out for the Frenchman.

Benitez is currently a free agent after being sacked by Inter earlier this season, but he is still highly regarded after winning the Champions League in 2005 and FA Cup in 2006 with Liverpool, and taking the Reds to another Champions League final in 2007.

The Spaniard was relieved of his duties at Anfield in the summer after a public fall-out with the club’s former American owners, and is still a popular figure on Merseyside.

Aston Villa fans have made clear their unhappiness with the current manager after seeing their team dragged into a relegation fight this season, in stark contrast to three consecutive top-six finishes under O’Neill.

Villa chairman Randy Lerner recently backed his under-fire boss in the January transfer window by sanctioning the moves for Darren Bent and Jean Makoun, though it is not clear whether Houllier is his long-term choice.