Big Ron backs McLeish for Villa job

Ron Atkinson has insisted Alex McLeish can win over angry Villa fans with two bold summer signings and by putting a block on more big-name exits.

The former Villa boss and Express & Star columnist admits when the 'McLeish for Villa' stories first began rumbling over the weekend, he didn't believe they would come to fruition.

But, with the former Birmingham boss close to being confirmed as Gerard Houllier's successor, one of the most contentious manager cross-overs in football history will leave McLeish with a huge public relations battle to win.

And Atkinson, who himself angered Sheffield Wednesday fans when he changed his mind and accepted Villa's offer to switch jobs back in 1991, believes it can be done.

He said: "You've got to admire his courage for wanting it and for taking it on. But now he has to meet the hostility head on.

"He can't be a shrinking violet. He has to get out there and meet the Villa fans and tell them why he he has come to the job.

"He has clearly come because he is ambitious and thinks those ambitions have a better chance of being realised at Villa.

"Ashley Young is off to Manchester United but he could win favour by saying 'no-one else leaves the building'. He'll have to be strong with Stewart Downing and say 'you're not going.'

"Nothing wins fans over more than a couple of bold, exciting signings to capture the imagination.

"That will do wonders for his standing and show the fans they really mean business."

Atkinson is a McLeish admirer and believes the Scot's Glasgow roots will enable him to cope with the flak that will follow his appointment.

He added: "Gordon Strachan used to tell me that he never dared go out in Glasgow because of the partisan culture up there. McLeish has faced all that and not been affected by it.

"There may be some problems for him socially in this day and age but he will have to meet that head on, too."