Alex McLeish's £6m deal to boss Villa

Alex McLeish was today set to sign a bumper £6million deal to become Villa's new manager.

The ex-Birmingham boss will almost double his wages in a sensational Second City switch from St Andrew's, despite fans' fury.

It's expected McLeish will sign a three-year deal to earn £2million a season – £1.2million more than he would have picked up with Blues in the Championship.

Owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner held face-to-face talks with McLeish in London yesterday to thrash out the terms of the Scot's contract at Villa Park.

The discussions were described as progressive and constructive and the Express & Star understands that, barring any technical glitches, McLeish was likely to be confirmed today.

The news comes after fans protested against his imminent appointment at Villa Park last night.

But one obstacle to the deal was removed yesterday, when it emerged Blues have cooled on the idea of reporting Villa's approach for the 52-year-old to the football authorities.

Acting Blues chairman Peter Pannu had threatened to contact the Premier League and the FA after alleging McLeish had been tapped up by Villa.

But that step now appears unlikely, after lawyers indicated to Pannu that Blues needed a watertight case to prove their version of events if they wanted to pursue it.

Instead, they will now focus attention on fighting Villa for £5.4million in compensation for McLeish, who had two years left on his contract, despite his counter-claim of constructive dismissal which has been backed by the League Managers' Association.

McLeish's appointment would bring to an end a frustrating search for Gerard Houllier's replacement, after the Frenchman left by mutual consent last month following health problems.

Villa have jumped from one candidate to another before settling on McLeish.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez rejected a move to Villa Park last week while Lerner pulled the plug on talks with ex-England chief Steve McClaren – because of a fans' backlash.

Mark Hughes, Martin Jol and former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti were all linked with the post before McLeish rocked Blues by quitting on Sunday.

The Scot's appointment will almost certainly spell the end for Gary McAllister and other members of Villa's backroom staff.

They were brought in under Houllier but McLeish would bring his own people with him from St Andrew's.

But the ex-Rangers and Scotland manager's first job will be to persuade Stewart Downing to remain at Villa, despite being Liverpool set to step up their interest in the winger.

McLeish would also have to have to earmark a replacement for Ashley Young who is ready to join Manchester United, while a goalkeeper is another priority.