It’s been nearly ten years since Gerard Houllier stepped down as Aston Villa manager by mutual consent. The 73-year-old was struggling with ill health for months and announced on June 1 in 2011 that he wouldn’t be returning to the club ahead of the new season.
It was a sad announcement because there were fears over his condition and because Villa performed well in his only campaign. They finished ninth in the Premier League with 48 points from 38 games. Villa haven’t managed a higher top-flight finish since, but they did surpass the points tally under Dean Smith.
Houllier’s Villa boasted Ashley Young, Darren Bent, Stewart Downing and Gabriel Agbonlahor who scored 31 goals between them. Villa were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by Rapid Vienna, the League Cup quarter-final by bitter rivals Birmingham City and the FA Cup fifth round by Manchester City, but there were some good moments.
The Villans were unbeaten in both head-to-heads with Chelsea while beating Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the league. They also took a point of Manchester United at home, so Houllier’s men weren’t to be underestimated.
Sadly, the 73-year-old died in 2020 after a heart operation and the football world mourned.
