Houllier has replaced Martin O’Neill in the Aston Villa hot-seat after the Irishman quit his position just five days before the start of the Premiership season, following a difference of opinion with owner Randy Lerner.

Houllier spent six years in charge of Liverpool between 1998 and 2004 before moving back to his homeland to coach Lyon for a couple of seasons.

He then became technical director for France before deciding to move back to the Premiership with the Villans, penning a deal to remain at the club until 2013.

The 63-year-old failed to guide Liverpool to the Premiership title but did mange to secure the Uefa Cup and Uefa Super Cup in 2001, while also claiming both the FA and League Cups in the same year.

And it may well be that his ability to put together cup runs was a factor in Lerner opting to employ the French veteran.

Villa have seven points from their first five matches and face West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, looking to build on last weekend’s 3-1 success over Blackburn Rovers.

One of Houllier’s first tasks will be to persuade Young to pen a long-term deal at the club to prevent one of the bigger clubs luring their prized asset away from the Midlands.

And the former Paris St-Germain boss is confident that the 25-year-old will sign a new contract sooner rather than later, after discussions about the role that he needs to play in the team as a whole.

“Am I hopeful Ashley will sign a new contract? Yes. It’s going on well,” he said.

“The discussions are positive. We had a chat and all I told Ashley is that I thought he could be a leader not only in terms of quality but in terms of effort.

“He can be a star but a star as a team player. His input must not be only making goals and scoring goals. It’s his work-rate and his attitude that can improve the rest of the team.”

Houllier’s appointment has not been met with universal approval by the Villa fans, with many wary of the style of football he might play.

But victory over Wolves on Sunday will go a long way to winning over his doubters and moving his new club up into a European spot in the table (Villa 5/2 to finish in the top six).

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The England international finally completed his protracted move to Eastlands late on Wednesday after a summer of speculation which has dominated the back pages.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the mega-rich club after his reported £24million transfer was completed, a move which saw Stephen Ireland go the other way and join Aston Villa (11/8 – 90 minutes v Rapid Vienna).

The former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder becomes City’s sixth major signing of the summer with Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balottelli having already completed multi-million pound moves to Eastlands.

Milner is likely to have a real battle on his hands to secure a regular starting sport in Mancini’s side, despite having been a vital cog in the Villa machine for the past two years.

However, Milner is adaptable and is able to play anywhere in midfield having featured for Villa and Newcastle out wide and in the centre of the park.

Milner insists the best is yet to come from him and believes this move will stand him a good chance of securing trophies for years to come, including his ultimate goal, the Premier League.

“It didn’t take too much selling by the boss when you see the players who are already here and the plans for the club,” he told City’s official website.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘be ready for the next game’, and then he said ‘be ready to win the Premier League’, and that’s my ultimate aim – that’s what I want to do and why I’m here.

“I’m ambitious and I want to win trophies here. I believe this is a great place to do that and I believe we will do it. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

Having only completed his move late on Wednesday Milner will play no part in City’s Europa League play-off clash with FC Timisoara (4/1 – 90 minutes v City) with the rest of the team having flown out to Romania the same day.

Milner is more likely to make his debut in the massive game against Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday night, when City will be looking to lay down a marker against one of their top-four rivals.

Thursday’s European game represents more of a distraction for City than anything else with the club’s owners keen for them to at least secure Champions League football this season.

Even a weakened side City should have too much firepower for their opponents, especially since Timisoara have struggled in recent European outings, scoring nine goals in their last 15 matches.

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The Scot got the Rams promoted via the play-offs three years ago but arguably it was too much, too soon for the Pride Park outfit who tasted victory on just one occasion in their 38 games.

Davies will try to repeat the feat with Forest this season and says he is “desperate” to pit his wits against the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger again.

“I want to get back there with a club that will financially support its manager, a club that wants to compete at that level and doesn’t want to change owners,” Davies told the BBC.

“That’s my biggest challenge.”

Forest, who play Scunthorpe on Sunday at Glanford Park, have guaranteed themselves a home second leg in the play-off semi-finals. They realistically need just a point to secure third place although they cannot finish lower than fourth spot (Scunthorpe 9/5, draw 12/5, Forest 7/5).

Cardiff can still overhaul them but their preparations for the final game of the regular season and the play-offs have been overshadowed by developments over the future of chairman Peter Ridsdale.

The former Leeds chairman will stand down at the end of the month although he has refused to elaborate further, with a Far East consortium set to invest in the club in the summer.

A statement confirmed: “Peter leaves therefore with the best wishes and thanks of the board of directors and the shareholders of the company for his energy, commitment and success in completing the tasks that were set for him.”

Cardiff (13/5 Promotion) face a trip to Derby on Sunday (Rams 6/4, draw 23/10, Bluebirds 7/4).

The final play-off place tomorrow is Blackpool’s to lose ahead of the Tangerines’ home clash against Bristol City, with seventh-placed Swansea needing to win against Doncaster at the Liberty Stadium given their vastly inferior goal difference. The Swans then need a favour off the Robins.

There is also guaranteed drama at Hillsborough when Crystal Palace head up the M1 in search of the point that will preserve their Championship status and send Sheffield Wednesday down.

The Eagles (5/4 Relegation) lost 10 points after entering administration but will stay up if they avoid defeat against the Owls (4/7) who occupy the final relegation place with just 90 minutes of their season left to play.

Palace boss Paul Hart, who kept Portsmouth in the Premier League last season, admits he will send his side out to win the game.

“I don’t think it would be wise to pop up to Hillsborough and park outside their 18-yard box for 90 minutes,” he said.

“We have to think we can win the game and we have to go up there with that attitude.”

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