Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier insists Stephen Ireland still has a future at Villa Park.
Houllier says Ireland can return to Aston Villa after completing a loan move to Newcastle United.
The midfielder, 24, was an £8million makeweight in the £24m deal that took James Milner to Manchester City.
Houllier said: "Stephen was unlucky with injuries. The door remains open for him as an Aston Villa player."
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