Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has refused to confirm speculation he is in the running for the Aston Villa job.
Houllier, in England for Jamie Carragher’s testimonial, reportedly held talks with Villa supremo Randy Lerner earlier this week.
It has been suggested that the 63-year-old would become director of football with Kevin MacDonald and Steve Staunton working underneath him in coaching roles.
But when quizzed about the reports, the Frenchman said: “Never and always are two words you can’t use in football.”
Houllier led Liverpool to an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2001 before leaving three years later, and he has since had a two-year stint French club Lyon.