Villa manager Gerard Houllier was last night released from hospital and allowed to return home to continue his recovery from his recent heart problem.

The 63-year-old Frenchman was admitted to the coronary care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital last week complaining of chest pains and was subsequently diagnosed with a dissection of the descending aorta, which is a similar condition to the major health scare he suffered in 2001 while he was Liverpool boss.

Speculation continues over whether Houllier will return to manage the club and yesterday Dr Duncan Dymond, a cardiologist who has been consulted by Chelsea in the past, urged Houllier to call it day.

But the Villa hierarchy are said to have been encouraged by the progress the Villa boss has made in the past few days and assistant manager Gary McAllister hit back at Dymond’s comments.

“We are very appreciative of the concern of the guy, whoever he was, but he doesn’t know the case,” said McAllister. “He is speaking from afar and Gerard is going to be advised by the people who are looking after him, the people who know his history. We do appreciate this fellow’s concern but he does not know the finer details of what has been the problem.”

And McAllister also admitted that the mechanisms are in place for Villa to continue their summer rebuilding plans concerning out-of-contract players and future transfers with Houllier’s input.

“All these things that from the outside we seem to have to deal with over the next few weeks, we’ve been looking through already,” added the Villa assistant.

“Whether it be attracting new players, or players coming to the end of their contract, a lot of decisions have already been made.

“There is a plan to move forward which is already there. As much as it would be ideal if Gerard was here, it can be done from his home because we’re down the line on a few things.

“I don’t have to give anything away, but I’m talking about people that might want to come here, people that want to stay, people that might have to find a club.

“We know the positions where we are strong but we also know where we need to strengthen. It’s ongoing and  you’ve got to be prepared to go into the market.”