Villa 4/5 to beat Stoke under guidance of McAllister
Published:Gary McAllister will have the responsibility of maintaining Aston Villa’s current turnaround in form as he will be in charge of the club’s upcoming home Premier League game with Stoke.
Aston Villa have confirmed that McAllister will take over first-team duties in the short term after manager Gerard Houllier was admitted to hospital.
Houllier is currently undergoing tests after falling ill and is set to remain in hospital for several days to aid his recovery.
The Frenchman has a history of heart troubles and required surgery for a problem in 2001, while manager of Liverpool.
However, his current condition is said to be comfortable.
Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “I spoke with him this morning, as did Gary before he took training, and he sounded very positive.
“I will see him this afternoon, along with Gary, and we will pass on the fans’ messages. I know they will mean a lot to him.”
Assistant manager McAllister will pick the team against Stoke as Villa look to remain in the top half of the Premier League table with a third successive victory.
Villa are 4/5 in the Premier League odds to beat Stoke and have never lost at home to the opposition in the Premier League era, winning on one occasion and conceding an injury-time equaliser in the other.
Stoke are 7/2 to take the three points and it remains to be seen if they will suffer from any kind of FA Cup hangover after beating Bolton in a semi-final at Wembley in their latest outing.
However, Stoke have only won one of their last seven Premier League games and have lost all of their last seven on their travels since beating Blackburn on Boxing Day.
A £30 stake on Aston Villa beating Stoke 2-1 would return £210. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
