Weimann ensures McLeish has the last laugh

Manager Alex McLeish hopes the Aston Villa fans were “happy with my substitutions after all” following Andreas Weimann’s last-gasp winner against Fulham at Villa Park.

McLeish was on the receiving of boos from all around the ground and cries of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ after replacing Charles N’Zogbia with Weimann after 73 minutes of Saturday’s game.

But the Scot was vindicated as Austrian Under-21 international Weimann secured Villa’s first home win for more than four months in injury-time with his first goal for the club.

All three of McLeish’s substitutions — Barry Bannan, Gary Gardner and Weimann — combined to secure the 1-0 win which has eased any fears of Villa being dragged into a Barclays Premier League relegation scrap.

Former Birmingham boss McLeish admitted: “The more home games you don’t win, the fans are going to be on your back.

“I don’t think it needs much excuse for them to get on my back just now. I’m pleased for the Villa fans. I know they had a little dig at the substitutions but I know what football is like and it is extremely fickle.

“There is a bit of relief with the win and the dug-out can be a tense place to be especially when you haven’t won at home for a long time and with the fans’ expectations being massive.

McLeish punched the air with delight after Weimann’s winner and claimed: “I’ve had a lot of great moments in football, last-minute winners and cup finals and things like that. That winner was another tremendous moment.”

Weimann added: “I’ve dreamt of this moment for a long time and to get my first goal for the senior side, in front of the Holte End as well, is fantastic.

“You see the fans, everyone going crazy, and it was a big relief for us. We’ve not won for a long time at home and for me it was an unbelievable feeling.”

“I’m hoping I’m going to get a few more chances now and can show the gaffer what I can do and get a few more goals.

“Hopefully I’ll get a few more chances for the rest of the season and we want to kick on and move up the table.”

Fulham’s run of three successive wins came to an end after keeper Mark Schwarzer could only parry a fierce shot from Gardner before Weimann tucked away the rebound at the second attempt.

Cottagers manager Martin Jol said: “We wanted that fourth win on the trot and it was a real kick in the teeth and was harsh to concede in the final minute.

“A goalless draw would have represented a good point at Villa and we controlled the second half after changing things around at half-time.

“But one or two mistakes can cost you even in the final minutes of a game and that is exactly what happened.

“The draw would have been deserved but that’s football.”