Birmingham set to lodge complaint against Villa

Birmingham will attempt to block Aston Villa's bid to interview Alex McLeish for their vacant manager's post after accusing their local rivals of tapping up the Scot.

The Blues will today lodge a formal complaint with the football authorities about Villa's plans to speak to McLeish, who resigned from his position at St Andrew's on Sunday. Villa believe McLeish is a "free agent" and they are therefore entitled to speak to the ex-Scotland and Rangers boss who quit after three-and-a-half years at City.

But Birmingham are seeking 5.4 million in compensation from Villa to cover the remaining two years of McLeish's contract and have put the matter in the hands of their lawyers.

City said in a statement: "Birmingham City find Aston Villa's announcement to proceed with an interview with Alex McLeish a contempt of Premier League and FA rules. The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise.

"The club will do what is within its powers to prevent this and will lodge a formal complaint to the authorities as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap up attempt."

Birmingham also believe their stance has the backing of Villa fans, some sections of whom have made it clear they are against McLeish's possible appointment. The statement adds: "This is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after having just been relegated. It is definitely a bitter pill to swallow for all fans concerned, both here and across the city."

The Blues also attacked a statement from the League Managers' Association which criticised the sacking of Birmingham chief scout Paul Montgomery and said the former Hibs manager was not "properly consulted" over transfers.

Birmingham's statement continued: "The LMA's announcement is refuted as the club has a very rigid approval system where only players formally identified, and with approval forms signed and sanctioned by the manager personally, are brought in. The chief scout was sacked only after Mr McLeish was informed who at that time had chosen not to comment."