Villa boss Alex McLeish: I'm no tyrant

Alex McLeish today claimed he is "not a tyrant" or a "quitter" as he comes to terms with the difficult aftermath of Villa's defeat to Manchester United.

The Villa boss axed Charles N'Zogbia from his squad for the 1-0 defeat to the Red Devils after it transpired the French winger had failed to keep a medical appointment.

N'Zogbia, who has yet to rediscover the form which persuaded McLeish to shell out £9.5m to sign him from Wigan, was subject to the club's internal disciplinary procedures and subsequently fined.

McLeish insisted the punishment for the 25-year-old was fair and, despite clamping down on any behaviour he deems inappropriate, he does not rule with an iron fist.

"I've tried to encourage Charles at every turn. I'm not a tyrant. It is not me against Charles or any of my players," said McLeish.

"I hope Charles takes it on the chin. The players know we have club rules and we will adhere to them. There are no grudges."

McLeish's managerial capabilities will be tested to the maximum over the next month as he faces up to the prospect of being without Shay Given and Jermaine Jenas for the near future.

Goalkeeper Given has a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for around a month while midfielder Jenas has an Achilles problem which, if it requires an operation, could see him ruled out until late in the campaign.

Despite restlessness among the fansMcLeish is confident he is the man for the job, and was assured by owner Randy Lerner – who attended the defeat to United – that he can plug the injury gaps.

"Everyone knows how difficult it was for me coming here in the first place and I've just got to persevere. I'm not a quitter and I'll go as far as I can to get this club turned around," added McLeish.