Source: Team_Talk
Collins welcomes MacDonald stance
Aston Villa defender James Collins has welcomed news caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald wishes to be considered for the role on a permanent basis.[LNB] MacDonald has been in temporary charge of first-team affairs at Villa Park since Martin O'Neill resigned three weeks ago.[LNB]The former Liverpool midfielder has been on the club's backroom staff for 15 years and Collins is pleased he now wants to be considered for the top job.[LNB]Collins, who is now with his Wales team-mates preparing for a Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, said: "Kevin has been at the club a long time and has the total respect of the players.[LNB]"All the players have worked with him when they have been coming back from injury in the reserves.[LNB]"It would be great for him. There would be no grumblings coming from Aston Villa and I think he has done a great job.[LNB]"We have all got the highest respect for him."[LNB]Former Liverpool midfielder MacDonald has had mixed success since taking over from O'Neill.[LNB]Victory over West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season was followed by a 6-0 thrashing by Newcastle and a Europa League exit at the hands of Rapid Vienna.[LNB]His side bounced back, however, with a 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday and Collins was impressed by the way the Scot fired up the players.[LNB]The 27-year-old added: "He told us, coming off the back of a 6-0, we had to show some fight in front of our home fans. "He made sure we knew it was a big game. He gave us the rallying cry and we responded."[LNB]Villa now have breathing space to make an appointment with their next game not until they travel to Stoke a week on Monday.[LNB]Collins said: "We haven't got a game for a couple of weeks and it's about time we got something sorted.[LNB]"Hopefully it'll be done by the time we get back."
