James Collins' secret to Villa success

James Collins today revealed Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish's experience as a former defender has helped them improve on last season's problems at the back.

James Collins today revealed Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish's experience as a former defender has helped them improve on last season's problems at the back.

The claret and blues have kept two clean sheets in their first three Premier League games and Collins believes McLeish must take some of the credit.

The Wales international said: "He's played there more than anyone so he knows what he's on about.

"You can tell he's happy for me and Richard Dunne when we get clean sheets, which is good for us.

"The training now has helped – it's completely different to last season and it's so much better.

"I think we've benefitted from that as well."