Gerard Houllier has issued a ruthless rallying call ahead of tonight’s first game as Villa boss, declaring: ‘We need less nice, more ambition’.

The Frenchman, whose reign kicks off with the visit of Blackburn in the Carling Cup this evening, says 1982 European Cup winners Villa are held in great respect on the continent.

However, the 63-year-old revealed his belief he has joined a club in a “comfort zone” and questioned whether a winning mentality currently exists in his new surroundings – before revealing his determination to do something about it.

“It’s a club which is liked in Europe,” he said.

“It has an identity. Aston Villa is known as a Paris St-Germain. This club is known as a good club.

“I have not met anyone saying it’s a bad club.

“Maybe what the club needs is more ambition, more biting teeth.

“When you are a good club everything is fine, the comfort is there. What we need to do is get out of this comfort zone a bit more and get the results. We want to be a winning club. A nice, winning club.”

The third-round clash comes 44 days after Martin O’Neill quit as boss, leading to a turbulent period presided over by caretaker Kevin MacDonald which included a 6-0 thrashing at Newcastle and disastrous early exit from Europe.

“We know we have to improve in a few areas,” Houllier added. “The players know that. But you have to take into account for the players it has not been easy. They lost their manager practically a week before the start of the season. You have to be aware it was a shock and chaos.

“I think Kevin did extremely well. I think the team, with a new manager coming in, needs to settle to get used to maybe a different type of training, new approach and different philosophy.

“So give us time. That’s what I am going to say. It’s probably easier when you start the season, with pre-season, but we have no friendlies.

“It won’t be done overnight I can tell you. At the moment I am happy with the squad. You can’t change the habits in the middle of a competition — you have to be gradual, convincing, clever and this is what we will do.”