Ireland hoping for fresh start

Stephen Ireland has his sights on rebuilding his Aston Villa career under new manager Alex McLeish.

The midfielder came to Villa last summer as part of the deal which saw James Milner head in the opposite direction to Manchester City.But he was urged by then manager Gerard Houllier to "work harder" and was eventually loaned out to Newcastle United for the second half of the campaign.Now Ireland just wants to be judged on his performances and to play a full part under McLeish, who has said the slate is "wiped clean" for every player.Ireland said: "All pre-season I'm going to work really hard to try and get in the new gaffer's plans. Hopefully I can stay there."I had a brief chat with him and he seemed really nice and determined and it seems as if he's going to be a good manager for the players and the club going forward."Right now I'm in a good place. I'm feeling really good and really determined. I've got a very good feeling about this year, not just for myself but the team and the fans and I want to do well for them."I set goals for myself. Obviously I want to build up a good relationship with the fans. I want to try and get in the team and play the best that I can."I just want a good run really, I need that because I've not really had a good run in the last couple of seasons. It's a shame but I can't let that bother me."I've just got to keep working hard to try and get my form and my sharpness back."It might take four or five games at the start of the season to get that back, but hopefully as soon as I do I can look forward and not look back."Ireland is pleased to have the chance to finally try and make an impact at Villa.He said: "You have to start with a fresh new slate now. It didn't go off with a bang like I wanted it to when I first signed here. I just want to be given the opportunity to play."Last year I felt in training I had done enough to get that chance to play but it didn't happen for me for whatever reason."I just want to be treated normally when it comes to training and performance and team selection, and if I'm working hard enough I'd like to know that I've got a clear shot at playing."Follow Aston Villa in the run up to the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong this July on the official tournament pagewww.facebook.com/BarclaysAsiaTrophy.