Stiliyan Petrov

The Bulgarian star was brought to Villa Park by former manager Martin O’Neill, but was as shocked as anyone when the former boss walked out only five days before the start of the Premier League campaign.

Kevin MacDonald acted as caretaker manager for the opening weeks of the season, but the Villa board have now announced Houllier as the new permanent manager.

Despite Houllier being given the job last week, MacDonald had to take charge for Villa’s defeat to Stoke City on Monday as the Frenchman’s move has been held up due to prior commitments from his role as technical director with the French Football Federation.

Petrov is hoping the new manager can bring some stability back to the club, although it is unlikely that Houllier will be sat on the bench when Villa take on Bolton at home on Saturday as he is still unable to state a definite starting date at the club (Villa 4/5 to win, Bolton 10/3, draw 12/5 Match Betting).

That means MacDonald is set to take charge again, and Petrov has told the Birmingham Mail he thinks the caretaker boss has done a “tremendous job” at the start of this season and the entire Villa side will try to win “for him”.

“It is complicated. Complicated for the new manager, complicated for Kev as well, but there is a solution and we will see the new manager soon,” said Petrov.

“He has been at the top level for a long time. He managed Liverpool, had success and has been manager of Lyon. He has knowledge of football. He knows what he needs to do. We wait to see how we can improve.

“We try to do our best for Kev because he has been at this club for a long time and we don’t want to see him putting his head down,” he added.

MacDonald is reported to have turned down an offer from Houllier to take the role of his assistant at Villa Park when he finally starts his new role.

The Frenchman is now expected to offer the position to Gary McAllister, who he signed when in charge at Liverpool (13/8 for a Premier League top four finish) over a decade ago.

The former Leeds boss is currently holding a similar position under Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough and the Riverside boss has admitted to Sky Sports there has “been contact” between the two clubs.

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