Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier, who has a history of heart problems, won't need surgery after being admitted to a Birmingham hospital with chest pains on Wednesday. The 63-year-old Frenchman had major heart surgery in 2001 while he was managing Liverpool.

Assistant manager Gary McAllister visited Houllier on Friday and said his boss looked well. "He is on the coronary ward," said McAllister. "He was great and bubbly. He had a tough night but he was looking surprisingly well and in fine fettle."

Houllier received support from fellow EPL managers. Said Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish, "He has gone through a lot in his life. Since the operation, he has had a different perspective and seems cool and relaxed. But you never know what goes on inside of people and this job is highly stressful because of the massive stakes in the Premier League."