Source: Team_Talk
Villa meet McLeish in capital
Aston Villa were on Wednesday night holding further talks with managerial target Alex McLeish.[LNB] Club owner Randy Lerner held positive and productive discussions with the Scot earlier on Wednesday, according to sources close to Villa.[LNB]Lerner has identified McLeish as a prime candidate to replace Gerard Houllier, who left Villa at the start of the month.[LNB]McLeish quit Villa's local rivals Birmingham on Sunday and has flown back from a family holiday in Corsica to speak with Lerner.[LNB]Villa believe they are entitled to talk to McLeish as to their mind he is a "free agent".[LNB]The stance taken by Birmingham is somewhat different, and they are still hoping to obtain £5.4million in compensation for the remaining two years of McLeish's contract.[LNB]The League Managers Association have criticised City for their treatment of McLeish regarding certain transfers and the sacking of chief scout Paul Montgomery.[LNB]Some sections of Villa fans have voiced their opposition to McLeish taking charge because of his association with their local rivals.[LNB]A spray-painted message reading, 'Bluenose scum not welcome' was this morning removed from the wall outside Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground.[LNB]A gathering of angered supporters then turned up outside Villa Park this evening to protest against Lerner's plans to install McLeish.[LNB]Lerner has noted the success McLeish brought to Birmingham during the past three years, despite them being relegated from the Barclays Premier League last month.[LNB]He guided Birmingham to promotion in his first full season, secured a highest-ever top division placing - ninth - in 2009/10, and then led the team to Carling Cup glory at Wembley in February, the club's first major trophy for nearly 50 years.[LNB]Former Villa boss Ron Atkinson believes McLeish could win over supporters with a couple of major signings and by keeping hold of reported Liverpool target Stewart Downing.[LNB]Atkinson said: "You've got to admire Alex's courage for wanting it and for taking it on. But now he has to meet the hostility head on.[LNB]"He can't be a shrinking violet. He has to get out there and meet the Villa fans and tell them why he he has come to the job.[LNB]"Ashley Young is off to Manchester United but he could win favour by saying that no-one else leaves and he'll have to say 'you're not going' to Stewart Downing.[LNB]"Also nothing wins fans over more than a couple of bold, exciting signings. That will do wonders for his standing."
