New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has set his sights on bringing Champions League football to Villa Park within three years. But Houllier will not be able to formally take charge for almost a fortnight until he sorts out the terms of his departure from his role as technical director with the French Football Federation.
Houllier said: "I take great pride in my appointment as manager of Aston Villa. It is a great honour for me.
"I met with Randy Lerner (club owner) and Paul Faulkner (chief executive) and was impressed by their enthusiasm, dynamism and honesty.
"They convinced me of their ambitions for the club, what they want to bring to the fans of the club, and I am now delighted to share their ambitions.
"I had a good job with the French Football Federation but the people here have made me feel I want to be part of this project at Aston Villa.
"Everybody knows my passion for English football and the Premier League, the best in the world, and that has not diminished since my time at Liverpool.
"I had other offers. The offer from Villa came very late but it proved irresistible because it is a club with a fine history and a very good squad. They have a real pedigree and that played a part in my decision."
Houllier won six trophies at Anfield and feels he can bring more glory to the club, who have finished in the top six of the Premier League for the past three years.
He said: "There is a vision for gradual improvement. We won't achieve things overnight but we want silverware. Everyone wants Champions League football or Europe and we are saying one step at a time.
"The owner (Lerner) has set no targets but in three years if we can get into the top four it will be excellent.
"However, I am not looking upon this as unfinished business because I did win trophies in the Premier League before."
Houllier also revealed that caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald has turned down the chance to be part of the first team coaching set up and will instead return to his role as reserve team coach.
Houllier said: "I spoke to Kevin this morning. We had a good conversation but he prefers to go back to his role with the reserve team.
"I am disappointed for him. He would have been helpful to me but I respect his decision and I am sure our relationship will be good."
Houllier also revealed that Patrice Bergues, who worked as part of his back room squad at Liverpool and Lens, would not be moving to Villa in the immediate future because of "personal reasons".
In terms of securing his release from the FFF, Houllier said: "They could make me stay for three months but I am negotiating to leave far earlier.
"I hope to be here to watch the Bolton game and will start for the Blackburn game if all goes well. I have a good relationship with the FFF but I need to go back and sort the final things out."
