Alex McLeish has been unveiled as Birmingham’s new manager.

Birmingham are to make an official approach to the Scottish FA for permission to speak to Alex McLeish about succeeding Steve Bruce as manager.

Scotland assistant manager Roy Aitken revealed confidence is soaring as the players who carry the nation’s hopes prepare to take on Italy.

UEFA have confirmed they will investigate the tackle which forced Celtic midfielder Scott Brown out of last night's Champions League game against Benfica.

New Scotland manager Alex McLeish looks set to retain the services of Barry Ferguson as captain of the national team.

MARTIN O’NEILL is set to announce today whether he has decided to become Aston Villa’s new manager.

Aston Villa midfielder Steven Davis has been ruled out of the opening game of their pre-season tour against Hanover 96 on Saturday.

Former Aston Villa boss John Gregory believes Roy Aitken could follow in the footsteps of Glenn Roeder and impress as a caretaker boss.

ROY AITKEN is eager to succeed David O’Leary as Aston Villa manager but Alan Curbishley is believed to be chairman Doug Ellis’s number one target.

Aston Villa supporters are calling on chairman Doug Ellis to follow David O’Leary out of the Villa Park door.

Former Aston Villa boss John Gregory believes “the only way is up” for the club following last night’s departure of David O’Leary.

David O’Leary has revealed winger James Milner sought assurances about his future as Aston Villa manager as he looks to sign the Newcastle player on a permanent basis.

Aston Villa are optimistic midfielder Steven Davis will be able to return to action before the end of the season.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has warned Birmingham to expect another fired-up performance from David O’Leary’s side in Sunday’s crucial Premiership derby at Villa Park.

Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie will taste his first action since being sentenced to community service after pleading guilty to an assault charge in Tuesday’s reserve outing with Leeds.

Harry Redknapp ducked his after-match press conference as a goal from Aston Villa striker Milan Baros sent Portsmouth closer towards the relegation trap door.

Aston Villa midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba has personally apologised to manager David O’Leary following his late return from the African Nations Cup.

James Milner’s season-long loan with Aston Villa has been hailed a big success ahead of Saturday’s home encounter with his long term-employers, the managerless Newcastle.

Aston Villa striker Milan Baros is stepping up his bid to return to action in Monday’s Barclays Premiership encounter with Manchester City at Eastlands.

Roy Aitken paid tribute to Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips as he paid back another slice of his £750,000 (€1.1m) transfer fee by powering the club into the last 16 of the Carling Cup at the expense of Burnley.

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David O’Leary today formally signed a new three-and-a-half year contract extension.

David O’Leary has set his sights on establishing Aston Villa as a force challenging for Europe on a regular basis after finally ending speculation about his future.

DAVID O’LEARY has insisted he will not quit Aston Villa if the issue of his new contract is not resolved in the near future.

Thomas Hitzlsperger is reluctant to sign a new contract at Aston Villa until the future of manager David O’Leary is sorted out.

Aston Villa fans are urging chairman Doug Ellis to make sure that manager David O’Leary and his backroom team sign new contracts.

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has intimated that he wants his right-hand men Roy Aitken and Steve McGregor to also be given extended contracts if he is to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Manchester City assistant manager Arthur Cox was disappointed that his side only managed a share of the spoils from their Premiership clash at Aston Villa.

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Aston Villa captain Olof Mellberg has refused to rule out a future move away from the Barclaycard Premiership strugglers.

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary believes that rookie midfielder Peter Whittingham can have the same kind of impact as achieved by Harry Kewell and Alan Smith at Leeds.

Arsenal are hoping to avoid yet another Football Association investigation after a tunnel scuffle broke out at half-time in the victory over Aston Villa which took them to the top of the table.

Aston Villa number two Roy Aitken admits he would love to see Scotland’s Old Firm pitched into week-in, week-out battle with the Premiership’s big guns.

Aston Villa boss David O’Leary has returned to former club Leeds to sign Roy Aitken as his new assistant manager.

Gillingham player-boss Andy Hessenthaler has accused Leeds’ counterpart Terry Venables of snubbing both him and his coaches at the end of tonight’s FA Cup fourth-round replay defeat.

Leeds are to start negotiations with £4m-rated Kleberson after the Brazilian’s 15-year-old bride-to-be agreed to his marriage proposal.

IF FOOTBALL is, as we are often told, a metaphor for life then God help us when it comes to the players’ Christmas parties.

England striker Robbie Fowler marked his return from injury with a goal in Leeds United reserves‘ 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

England striker Robbie Fowler marked his return from injury with a goal in Leeds United reserves‘ 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Terry Venables launched his reign as Leeds United’s new manager by insisting he is ‘‘very confident’’ that he can hang on to England star Rio Ferdinand.

Leeds coach Brian Kidd has quit his England job to concentrate on his club duties.