McLeish aims to win over fans

New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish wants fans to allow him time to prove he is the right man for the job.

The Scot is hoping supporters will stick with him after he left bitter rivals Birmingham City to take the post.

McLeish's appointment was criticised by both sets of supporters after he was named Gerard Houllier's successor at Villa Park, but the former Glasgow Rangers boss believes he can do the job and claimed he understood where the club's fans were coming from

"Let me prove myself and I will win you over. It is not a case of proving the fans wrong, I want to go forward with them and prove I am the man for this job," he said.

"I can understand the passion and emotion of football and as long as it doesn't get out of control I can understand their feelings. Am I fazed by it? No. Have I had it before? Yes. I really look forward to the challenge.