Gerard Houllier has spent the weekend mulling over an offer to become new manager at Aston Villa.
Villa hope to appoint Houllier as successor to Martin O'Neill in the next 48 hours.
Houllier is spending the weekend deciding whether to return to Premier League management after a six-year absence.
He has emerged as the number one option for Villa owner Randy Lerner who is keen to make an appointment sooner rather than later.
Houllier was interviewed for the post last week - along with the likes of care-taker boss Kevin MacDonald and former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley.
The indications are former Liverpool boss Houllier would not be against joining Villa in a traditional managerial type of role.
But reserve team chief MacDonald's coaching skills are highly rated by Lerner - and the Villa players - and he could have a role with the first team.
