Former Coventry and Leeds manager Gary McAllister is Gerard Houllier's preferred choice for the assistant coach's role at Villa Park.McAllister, 45, has been first-team coach at Middlesbrough since May 2010.Boro boss Gordon Strachan told BBC Tees: "There is [interest], I'll speak to Gary over the next couple of days."Houllier described McAllister as "my most inspirational signing" when signing him for Liverpool in 2000.The new Villa manager Houllier has turned to the Scotsman after being turned down by other former Liverpool stars Phil Thompson and Dietmar Hamann as well as current Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald.Houllier was named the new Villa manager on Friday but his commitments as technical director with the French Football Federation mean he is unlikely to take charge of a Premier League game until 26 September when neighbours Wolves visit Villa Park.