Houllier named Aston Villa boss

Former Liverpool and Lyon boss Gerard Houllier is named the new manager of Aston Villa.

John Higgins is cleared of all match-fixing allegations but admits bringing snooker into disrepute, resulting in a £75,000 fine and a ban until November.

Ferrari have avoided further punishment for using banned team orders, a Formula 1 disciplinary hearing in Paris has ruled.

Caroline Wozniacki, Dominika Cibulkova, Robin Soderling and Roger Federer are going for semi-final spots at the US Open.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen hopes to play for South African franchise Kwa-Zulu Natal in two matches as a warm-up for this winter's Ashes.

United States Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin refuses to rule out pairing world numbers one and two Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at Celtic Manor.

Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli is to undergo knee surgery that could keep him out of action for six weeks.

The Scottish FA apologises to Liechtenstein for the "disgraceful" booing of their national anthem before the Euro 2012 qualifier.

Formula 1's governing body turns down all the entries from teams hoping to fill the vacant 13th slot in 2011, with former champion Jacques Villeneuve among those to miss out.

Sussex's fourth batting bonus point ensures promotion back to Division One of the County Championship.

Essex are relegated despite one of their best bowling performance of the season against champions Durham.

Hull forward Lee Radford's suspension that will see him miss his side's play-off tie against Hull KR on Saturday.

England coach Steve McNamara picks four players from his old side Bradford in the Four Nations train-on squad.

Essex cricket player Danish Kaneria is cleared by police in an investigation into match irregularities.

England will face Olympic champions the Netherlands and Germany will play hosts Argentina in the women's hockey World Cup semi-finals.