Lerner in London
Aston Villa have held talks with managerial target Alex McLeish at a secret location in London today, as their bitter battle with the Scot's former club Birmingham continued.
City are understood to be talking to their lawyers to decide what course of action to pursue against Villa, with McLeish having resigned from his post on Sunday before opening talks with their rivals.
Villa remain confident McLeish will still become Gerard Houllier's successor – despite the growing protests from sections of their fans – and he could be unveiled before the weekend.
But Birmingham have announced their intention to lodge a complaint with the Premier League, accusing Villa of "tapping up" McLeish. Villa believe McLeish is a free agent, but Birmingham are seeking £5.4m in compensation to cover the remaining two years of his contract, and have yet to formally accept his resignation.
In addition Villa may have to compensate Birmingham should McLeish's backroom team of coaches Peter Grant as well as Andy and Dave Watson follow him from St Andrew's.
The Villa owner Randy Lerner believes McLeish is the right man to revive the club's fortunes despite the backlash from supporters. A protest has been planned at Villa Park, while a spray-painted message reading "Bluenose scum not welcome" was quickly removed from the wall outside the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground.
Alan Curbishley, who was playing for Birmingham when Ron Saunders moved from Villa nearly 30 years ago, is unsurprised feelings are running high.
"When Ron went from Villa to Birmingham there was uproar. I can understand the furore that is going to happen if Alex McLeish goes to Villa." he said.
"I think people outside of the city of Birmingham don't understand the rivalry between the two clubs. It is massive. Perhaps Alex, if he does go to Villa, has not thought that bit out and it is a big situation he is going into. If it does happen, there will be some tricky times ahead."
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