West Brom manager Roy Hodgson is backing Alex McLeish to steer Aston Villa clear of Barclays Premier League relegation trouble ahead of Saturday's derby clash at the Hawthorns. But Hodgson admitted the verbal abuse received by McLeish after Villa's midweek defeat against Bolton is now par for the course in football. Villa are only three points above the bottom three as the Baggies seek their first double over them for 38 years.
Hodgson said: "The reaction Alex received is par for the course these days. I think there was a time when it was quite unusual for a home team to be booed at the end of the game. "I think we are getting used to it now. It is quite unusual if you lose a home game and not get booed off. That is more the rule than the exception. "I only see things from the managerial side. It's been a very tough ask for Alex this season. "There have been a lot of things that have been beyond his control. He's not been able to field his best team and the injury situation has been quite incredible. "He has battled on very well under the circumstances and I have every sympathy and a lot of empathy with him because I know what it is like. "Alex continues to do the job with great dignity, with great experience, and he will pull Villa through this period. "Then next season, maybe some of the players will come back that he has lost this season and they'll have a much better season." Albion have won three of their last four games to climb into the top 10 and Hodgson has urged his players to finish the campaign strongly. He said: "A couple of wins could make a big difference to where we finish and I don't see no reason not to be greedy. "The question is can we produce the performances? It will not happen by itself. Villa are not going to lie down and present us with points." Striker Marc-Antoine Fortune is fit to return after missing last weekend's shock 1-0 away success over Liverpool with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Paul Scharner is likely to be available despite cracking a bone in his wrist at Anfield. Midfielders Zoltan Gera and James Morrison (both knee) and right-back Steven Reid (foot) remain on the injury list.
Alex McLeish insists he can still win over the Aston Villa supporters despite their vitriolic abuse hitting new heights this week. The Scot has been targeted by fans over the course of this season with criticism worsening in recent weeks, as Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Bolton left the side three points off the bottom three. Supporters are planning further protests for Villa's home match against Tottenham on May 6, but first McLeish must take his side to local rivals West Brom hoping to earn a result which could go some way to determining their future. Former Rangers and Scotland boss McLeish said: "In terms of the abuse, there was nobody more disappointed after the Bolton game than me. "I was absolutely gutted. I'm telling you, I don't care what any supporter says, there's nobody who felt as bad as I did going off that pitch. "I don't criticise the fans for having a go or booing at the end of a game, when it's another home game we've lost and defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory, in what was a blooming good performance. "We definitely deserved more but we didn't get it and it's left us with a battle for the next nine points." Asked how the fans' abuse affects his family on nights like Tuesday, McLeish said: "Yes, my son was there, my wife was there, my family were there. "It's part of the game, I accept it. It's something that they have grown up with as well. "It's part of football and it's not something you can change. You have to accept it. If you don't want to hear that, don't be in this game." McLeish refused to contemplate whether he would still be in charge at Villa Park next season. "I'm not thinking about my future, I'm concentrating on these nine points," he insisted. Asked if he would leave if Villa did not stay up, he said: "I can't say, it's all hypothetical." Richard Dunne is available, after two and a half months out of action with a broken collarbone. Fellow defender James Collins is still battling to overcome his recent groin problem while McLeish will check on the fitness of midfielder Stephen Ireland (hamstring) and striker Emile Heskey (Achilles). end
West Brom V Aston Villa - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
