Aitken predicting success for O'Leary

ROY AITKEN is backing Aston Villa boss David O’Leary to finally get the best out of the club’s under-achieving stars.

Aitken, confirmed as O’Leary’s right-hand man at Villa Park, takes on the role of head coach which, he concedes, was an offer he could not resist.

The 57-times capped former Scotland international and one-time Aberdeen boss, who like O’Leary has signed a three-year contract, worked under the Irishman at Leeds as reserve team coach.

O’Leary’s record at Elland Road saw Leeds finish fourth, third, fourth and fifth in the Premiership during his four seasons in charge at Elland Road as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League and also the UEFA Cup prior to his sacking last summer.

Despite a year-long absence from the game, Aitken reckons O’Leary has what it takes to bring the glory years back to Villa, particularly after their brush with relegation last season.

Former manager Graham Taylor struggled to find cohesion in the Villa Park dressing room, often bemoaning the unrest as the likes of Alpay and Juan Pablo Angel failed to fit into his plans.

But with a no-nonsense O’Leary at the helm, Aitken stated: “David’s track record speaks for itself. In a sense, Leeds were mediocre when he took over, but he made them one of the top teams in Europe.

“When he left they then slid away.

“After my time at Leeds, I am looking forward to working with him again. It wasn’t a tough decision to make in joining Villa.

“David is honest in his approach, he has a good knowledge of the game and he gets his sides playing attractive football, as Leeds fans became used to, he said.

“I’m sure as long as Villa fans see the same kind of attractive football, enthusiasm and a determination coming from the team then that itself will be progression.”