Aston Villa make move for McLeish

Aston Villa have made an enquiry to rivals Birmingham regarding the availability of boss Alex McLeish. The Scottish manager resigned on Monday and was very quickly made the front runner for the vacant Villa job. Birmingham are not impressed with the approach and reportedly many Villa fans are not happy with the speculation that McLeish is being lined up as Gerard Houllier's successor.

"He is still our contracted staff and Birmingham City FC does not grant him any right to speak to any outsiders until the matter is resolved. It's about time discipline is instilled into this game and I am not a person who gets pushed about," said Birmingham chief executive Peter Pannu.

Meanwhile, former Villa coach Graham Taylor is also unsure if McLeish is the best man for the job.

"I think Alex has the strength of character but it won't be easy for him. He has a hardness about him. It would be difficult though, because many Villa fans would not want a Birmingham man as their manager and many Birmingham supporters might see him as a traitor," said Taylor.