The new Villa boss is set to make a swoop for the former England
striker during the January transfer window either on loan or for a
nominal fee.
Houllier watched Owen play in Jamie Carragher's testimonial game
at Anfield last Saturday and was impressed by his form and
fitness.
He will be keen to reunite his relatonship with the striker
which flourished so successfully at Liverpool that Owen was named
European Player of the Year in 2001 after helping fire the club to
a treble of trophy successes.
Owen's contract with Manchester United expires at the end of the
season and he remains a bit-part player at Old Trafford.
He might welcome to chance to reignite and extend his career by
another two years at Villa under Houllier.
And it would be the sort of budget signing which will appeal to
owner Randy Lerner whose decision to tighten the purse-strings led
to the resignation of Martin O'Neill.