CitizenBlue

Given is fine, his old injury isn't a problem. We get training reports every day and he has been healthy.

There is nothing wrong with him, if that's what you're concerned about. He just doesn't play because a young England #1 came along. If Given were 23 and Hart 35, it would have been Hart losing the job.

Mancini doesn't want to sell him, but is only entertaining a transfer because Shay has requested first team football. None of us fans want to see him go.

Randy for me is now just another foreign owner who is in this for the money. I honestly believed he was different, but he isn't. I will NEVER trust him again. I will never sing "Randy give us a wave" or similar. He is the owner, I will be chuffed if he puts his hand in his pocket for another Bent, but to be honest, now, as long as someone richer came in, I wouldn't be bothered if he went (and I thought the complete opposite a month ago.

Take it from someone who has watched the NFL and the Cleveland Browns, new and old, nigh on 20 years.

Lerner is not in sports for the money. He just thinks he can run sports teams, but he can't. What you see as greed is really incompetence.

If he had any sense, none of this would have happened.

Paying 2m for this guy? When Sanchez Flores and Hughton were available for free??? :shock:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-Birmingham-news-Alex-McLeish-accepts-Villa-job-during-meeting-as-owner-Randy-Lerners-house-article747888.html

sad news if it true

Unreal. This defies all logic and common sense.

This man will have you in a relegation battle with his tactics.

Only thing you can do is protest like the red dippers.

Sky Sports sources understand discussions between Randy Lerner and Alex McLeish are progressing well as Aston Villa prepare to fill their managerial vacancy.

Those protesters are trying to save the club. Admirable! Too bad more didn't turn out.

Alex McLeish is on the verge of becoming Aston Villa’s new manager after Randy Lerner told supporters that they should not be blinded by his reign at Birmingham City.

The former Scotland manager will start formal talks today with Villa and an imminent appointment is likely, despite the furore from fans of both Second City clubs and Birmingham’s continued appeal for compensation.

While Lerner, the Villa chairman, understands the fans’ opposition, he believes McLeish has become the best candidate for the post — vacated by Gérard Houllier on health grounds a fortnight ago — since he resigned from Birmingham by e-mail on Sunday.

The St Andrew’s board issued a statement last night when they announced their intention to lodge a formal complaint with the Premier League, accusing Villa of “tapping up” McLeish. The statement described their rivals’ actions as something that will “taint football”.

But McLeish’s case for constructive dismissal by Birmingham was given wholesale support yesterday by Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers Association (LMA), which increased Villa’s confidence in moving for the man who can expect to be despised on both sides of Birmingham until he wins matches.

Peter Pannu, the Birmingham acting chairman, has taken legal advice in pursuit of the £5.4 million compensation stipulated in McLeish’s contract.

Bevan said that McLeish’s position at St Andrew’s had become untenable owing to the “aggressive and seriously undermining communications” of the Birmingham board, which dismissed Paul Montgomery, the chief scout, without consulting the manager.

The LMA also criticised Pannu for revealing details of McLeish’s contract and for flawed communications over transfer dealings. Since the LMA is likely to be involved in mediating between Birmingham and McLeish over their compensation issue, the nailing of its colours leaves the way clear for Villa to bring in their man.

Villa’s search has been a tumultuous process. They view McLeish in a different light to Mark Hughes, who walked out on Fulham two days after Houllier left Villa by mutual consent, and understand that his position at St Andrew’s was severely compromised. Villa confirmed their criteria for the next manager in a statement that could have been written for McLeish, who had successful spells at Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland, and led Birmingham to ninth place in the Barclays Premier League last year before winning the Carling Cup four months ago in between two relegations. “Proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and . . . sharing our vision,” were mentioned.

“We would, however, like to emphasise that in deciding to interview Alex McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously,” the statement concluded. “We are determined, still, not to allow that 3½-year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager.”

General Charles Krulak, Lerner’s right-hand man at Villa Park, spoke forcibly on a fans’ forum. “The uproar over McLeish is absolutely uncalled for,” he wrote. “He certainly has proved he can manage in the big leagues; just imagine what he could do if he was with an owner who supported him.

“Look at Randy and what he provides to his managers . . . look at his record with other clubs as a manager and player. Check with Sir Alex [Ferguson, the Manchester United manager and McLeish’s mentor at Aberdeen] and ask him about the man. You will get an entirely different sense. That he managed BCFC should not be the driving factor. Yes, Randy and the board understand the feelings of the fans. At the same time, whether it would be this man or any other, we need to do what is right for the club.”

Should McLeish take over at Villa, he would receive at least the £16 million that United are set to pay for Ashley Young. He needs a top goalkeeper after Brad Friedel’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Ben Foster, of Birmingham, could be a target. How that would go down with Birmingham fans needs no debate.

http://tinyurl.com/67hw4cg

Article in tomorrow's Times - it's a done deal

Godspeed Villa fans. You deserve better than this. :?

Utterly embarrassed by the reaction of most of our support, this is not 'Villa's darkest day' or any of that tripe, this is a day where we potentially appoint a very good manager who happens to have previously managed our local rivals. Grow up!

Mate, this man's come fresh off a relegation. He's probably the only manager available whose football is bad enough to relegate Villa.

Even fookin Curbishley outperformed this tosser. Dark days indeed if you appoint McLeish. Does my head in, makes no sense.

This pretty much sums up my feelings although from the perspective of an opposite fan.

Most of the country is wondering what's going on at Villa Park.

I was shouted down earlier when I suggested it, but Chris Hughton. Managed a promoted side between 5th and mid-table. Made Carroll look a £35m striker, and had some good foreign signings in Tiote and Ben Arfa.

A lot better than McLeish surely! And he wants a job.

Utterly embarrassed by the reaction of most of our support, this is not 'Villa's darkest day' or any of that tripe, this is a day where we potentially appoint a very good manager who happens to have previously managed our local rivals. Grow up!

Mate, this man's come fresh off a relegation. He's probably the only manager available whose football is bad enough to relegate Villa.

Even fookin Curbishley outperformed this tosser. Dark days indeed if you appoint McLeish. Does my head in, makes no sense.

Could be a misdirection. Make the Villa faithful terrified of McLeish, then when Hughes comes in it will be with relief bordering on jubilation rather than disappointment.

If someone wanted to do maximum harm to your club, McLeish would be a clever decision.

Wait wait, has he signed? Someone on radio says he will be unveiled at Villa Park, but it was Talkshite. Then Sky started talking about it.

I can't believe Villa are seriously approaching McLeish. That's fookin suicide. Drove his former club to relegation.

Villa are the most attractive jobs in the country, on par with Tottenham I'd say. You don't need to appoint shite like him.

Wouldnt say were on par with tottenham at all, not anymore and this saga has just proved it. If we were that attractive we'd probably have a manager by now but as it stands were scraping the bottom of the barrel for names like mcleish.

Can't understand it myself. You have one of the better stadiums, a good history, a rich owner, good fans, and you're in a good city.

Not long ago we were fighting for a CL spot.

You deserve someone like Ranieri, not this tosser.

I can't believe Villa are seriously approaching McLeish. That's fookin suicide. Drove his former club to relegation.

Villa are the most attractive jobs in the country, on par with Tottenham I'd say. You don't need to appoint shite like him.

Get over Moyes, he isn't coming. That's not even realistic.

Don't know why everyone's heart is set on Moyes when Hughton is available. He's a perfectly good manager with a good transfer record. Got Newcastle promoted and then kept them mid-table. Why would Lerner even consider shite like McLeish when Hughton is available?

Do me a favour mate and **** OFF.

Steve, I join you in that.

What a condescending tosser he is, wonder if he blows his nose after talking out of it.

Meh, you know the people floating this Moyes stuff are probably red dippers on twatter taking the piss, right?

Wouldn't mind him coming to you so we can do transfer business with Everton again. Just saying this is most likely made up, and this whole Coyle-Moyes-McLeish triangular musical chairs scenario defies logic. How the bloody hell is that condescending?

Scottish football writer for The Times on twatter

GrahamSpiers Graham Spiers

Top guy, McLeish. Extremely top guy. Been very helpful to pestering hacks like me over the years. Hope he succeeds at Villa.

Get over Moyes, he isn't coming. That's not even realistic.

Don't know why everyone's heart is set on Moyes when Hughton is available. He's a perfectly good manager with a good transfer record. Got Newcastle promoted and then kept them mid-table. Why would Lerner even consider shite like McLeish when Hughton is available?

Christ, it can't be this **** bad that Lerner would consider some dodgy clown like McLeish. Unless Lerner's goals include relegation and administration, I can't see this happening.

Turned on Talkshite and they said you made contact with Fat Spanish Waiter. McClaren or FSW... surely Lerner can find better? Hughton and Di Matteo at least have a clue about football and they're out of work.

Where are you lot on finding a manager now? Is Ancelotti still in the picture?

Coming up next on talkSHITE 'Are Villa a feeder club?'

Wow

Talkshite in shite talking shocker.

Don't sell Young to the red fookers, that would really make their tiny heads explode.

Guardian also said Hughes terminated his contract for money, and with the hope Villa would pick him up. Same agent as Carlos Tevez.

According to their sources, the frontrunners for the Villa position are McClaren and Jol.

One thing is certain, if Hughes comes in and does well at Villa he will **** off to a better job at the first opportunity.

Aren't many better jobs for him. I agree with you that he would f*** off at any opportunity to further himself, but look at what's realistically available.

Top 4- ain't gonna happen, not after what he did with the funds and numerous draws at City.

Everton- you're a bigger club and they're skint anyway.

Liverpool- they have Kenny and would look to a foreigner before Hughes.

Only place I could see is Spurs, and when they lose their top players, they'll be mid-table, and I don't think their club is bigger than Villa.

If Hughes keeps you about 6th-8th I could see him managing Villa for 20 years.

Oh dear. Well, good luck.

I have a feeling you'll be signing Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge, and Wright-Phillips. He loves those players for some reason.

Yeah because he signed them all at Fulham

The wage structure at Fulham didn't allow him to. It doesn't seem like he intended to stay there long anyway.

Personally considering Villa were entertaining the idea of Bridge before this, I'd say it's a done deal now.

Anyway, good luck. I mean it. Never sat right with me the way we treated him, and I hope he wins loads for you.

Oh dear. Well, good luck.

I have a feeling you'll be signing Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge, and Wright-Phillips. He loves those players for some reason.

Forget about Hughes, we went through that nightmare before Mancini came along. He'll have you scoring loads but the concept of 'defending' eludes him to this day. That's why he draws against lower opponents and gets smashed at home by big ones.

Ancelotti is class though, he will have you in the top 6 for sure. Rijkaard and Deschamps are good too, but they'll need time to adapt to the Premier League.

Fulham had the 4th best defence in the league last season.

It's hard to explain. Statistically he looks good, but then manages some ridiculous number of low-scoring draws against sub-par clubs. Then he'll get taken to the woodshed against us and dippers at home. You don't want him trust me!

You will never get to the next level with him regardless of how much is invested. He will keep you in the top half of the table but frustrate you to no end. Ancelotti can organize both attack and defence, he's won every major trophy in every league he's participated.