McLeish vows to win over the Villa fans after finalising move

McLeish himself accepts he must win over irate fans following his switch from arch-rivals Birmingham while his former club are set to continue their legal wrangling with Villa.

The 52-year-old Scot was yesterday confirmed as Gerard Houllier's successor at Villa Park just five days after he quit his post at St Andrew's. He has signed a three-year contract to commence duties with immediate effect.

Supporters have voiced considerable opposition to McLeish since it became apparent he was a leading contender for the job but the former Motherwell, Hibs, Rangers and Scotland manager is determined to prove doubters wrong.

McLeish said: "I know that some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why. It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man to drive the club forward and I intend to give absolutely everything to prove that I can be a success at the club."

Birmingham accused Villa of tapping up McLeish earlier this week and have demanded 5.4 million compensation to cover the remaining two years of a contract they believe he was induced to break. Villa responded to Birmingham's claims by stating they understood McLeish to be a free agent.

Blues did not carry out threats to report Villa to the Premier League or take out an injunction to block the move, but insist the matter is not closed.

A statement read: "The fact that Alex McLeish has been appointed as manager of Aston Villa does not, in any way, mean that the legal dispute is over and Birmingham City Football Club maintains its stance and shall vigorously pursue the matter.

"We are very disappointed with how the club and its fans have been treated by Mr McLeish, given the way we have supported him over the years and we are still looking into whether Aston Villa's conduct has been in line with Premier League rules. As the club is currently enforcing its legal right with Mr McLeish the matter is in the hands of our lawyers and it is therefore not appropriate for the club to make any further comment at this stage.

"The club will continue its full efforts on recruiting a new manager and hope to make an appointment as soon as possible."

Birmingham had vowed to stand by their Carling Cup-winning manager McLeish despite their relegation from the Barclays Premier League last month.

McLeish had not been regarded as a contender for Villa until Wigan manager Roberto Martinez snubbed the Midlands outfit last week. Even then he seemed an unlikely choice but speculation mounted when McLeish unexpectedly quit St Andrew's on Sunday.

Villa identified him as the man to restore stability at Villa Park after an unsettled year. The club fell into turmoil when Martin O'Neill resigned just five days before last season began while his successor Houllier made a number of PR gaffes and got involved in a relegation battle.

Houllier left the club after a health scare but it has taken considerable time to find a replacement with the likes of Mark Hughes, David Moyes, Steve McClaren, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez among many linked.

McLeish added: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to manage a club with such a fantastic history as Aston Villa's. The heritage, the history of success and the tradition of Aston Villa are compelling and irresistible. The challenge for me is to try to add my own chapter. Since first becoming a manager at Motherwell, my desire to succeed and my energy and drive have never waned. My objective is to impart that drive and will to win to the players and fans of Aston Villa."

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