Aston Villa Sign Shay Given

Aston Villa handed 35-year-old Shay Given a five-year contract — weeks after letting Brad Friedel go partly because they were concerned he was approaching his 40th birthday.New Villa manager Alex McLeish finally completed his first major signing to bring the Republic of Ireland international from Manchester City in a £3.5million deal.McLeish is convinced his new signing has years ahead of him as his No 1 keeper.
‘The quality of the player is not in doubt,’ said McLeish. ‘He lost his place last season because of the emergence of Joe Hart, rather than loss of form.‘Shay has come here probably with something of a point to prove and that won’t do any harm at all.‘Everybody who has watched him perform over many years in the Premier League will know his pedigree, so we believe we have secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers in the business.’Given has taken a 25 per cent pay cut from the £80,000-a-week he earned at Eastlands in exchange for the longer deal.He said: ‘Aston Villa is a huge club and I’m really excited to be joining. Everyone knows that I didn’t play enough football last season, so I’m really pleased that I’ll be able to put that right here.
‘Hopefully, this move will get me back to where I was before in the Premier League, which is where every player wants to be — playing. It’s also a new challenge and one I’m eager to embrace.’

Aston Villa close in on N'Zogbia

Skysports.com are reporting that Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia.
Villa boss Alex McLeish is a big fan of the Frenchman and tried to sign the player when he was in charge of Birmingham.Wigan are resigned to losing N'Zogbia with Latics chairman Dave Whelan admitting they will not stand in his way if they receive a suitable offer.The Frenchman is entering the final year of his contract at the DW Stadium and the player is ready to move on to play at a higher levelMcLeish has identified N'Zogbia as one of his top summer transfer targets and he is keen to win the race for his signature.
The likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland have all been linked with a move for the winger, but Villa are thought to be favourites for the 25-year-old.

N'Zogbia could help fill the void left by Ashley Young's departure to Manchester United last month

DJ set for Aston Villa

Aston Villa are emerging as the favourites to land Blackpool's DJ Campbell for a cut-price £1.25million.

Alex McLeish has been handed a transfer kitty of £35m and is ready to compete with Sunderland for Manchester United defender Wes Brown as well as fighting Liverpool for Blackpool playmaker Charlie Adam. But the new Villa boss has identified a few cheaper targets, including striker Campbell.Campbell started his career at Aston Villa as a trainee, but was not offered a professional contract.

The 29 year old has told Blackpool manager Ian Holloway that he wants to leave the club this summer should a Premier League club bid for him, and it has been rumoured that DJ has a release clause in his contract that would let him leave Bloomfield Road for less than £2 million.The player had previously been linked with a move to Fulham, but this has been denied by the London club, with a source close to Martin Jol allegedly saying that the Dutch manager was 'embarrassed' to be linked with DJ.

Manchester United Defender linked to Aston Villa move

Manchester United defender Wes Brown has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for new Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish.McLeish was confirmed as the new man at the helm at Villa Park on Friday and has already begun making plans for his moves in the transfer market. Manchester United stalwart Brown has been tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer after 15 years with the club. The versatile defender made just 15 appearances last season and has already been linked with a switch to Sunderland under former United star Steve Bruce. McLeish believes that the 31-year-old former England international could be a useful addition to his Villa squad and is considering an approach

McLeish completes controversial move to Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed the controversial appointment of Alex McLeish, the former Birmingham City manager, as their new manager.McLeish makes the move across the city just five days after resigning from his post at St Andrew's.Villa have pressed ahead with the appointment of the 52-year-old despite a backlash from supporters and a row with Blues.McLeish told the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to manage a club with such a fantastic history as Aston Villa's."The heritage, the history of success and the tradition of Aston Villa are compelling and irresistible. The challenge for me is to try to add my own chapter."Since first becoming a manager at Motherwell, my desire to succeed and my energy and drive have never waned."My objective is to impart that drive and will to win to the players and fans of Aston Villa.
"I know that some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why."It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man to drive the club forward and I intend to give absolutely everything to prove that I can be a success at the club."
Villa have not yet confirmed the length of McLeish's contract but have said the Scot will commence duties immediately, underlining their confidence there are no lingering issues concerning Birmingham.

Blues were angered when it became apparent McLeish was a contender for the Villa vacancy and accused their rivals of tapping up the former Glasgow Rangers and Scotland manager.

They also demanded £5.4m in compensation to cover the remaining two years of his contract but threats to report Villa to the Premier League or take out an injunction to block the move were not carried out.

McLeish quits by email but furious Blues warn boss not to talk to arch rivals Villa

Alex McLeish is heading for a legal battle with Birmingham City after they refused to accept his shock resignation and warned him not to talk to any other clubs. The Scot walked out on Sunday and was immediately linked with a controversial move across the city to Aston Villa. Villa, looking to replace Gerard Houllier, are huge admirers of McLeish, 52, and are understood to be considering him now he appears available. McLeish's decision to quit by email - with two years left on his contract - has stunned Birmingham and left acting chairman Peter Pannu furious
'I will be meeting my legal team tomorrow (Monday),' said Pannu, who was in Amsterdam tying up his club's fourth signing of the summer when McLeish's notice dropped into his in-box. 'Rest assured I will leave no stone unturned. It's about time some discipline is instilled into this game - and I am not a person who gets pushed about. 'We spent £40million, supported him all the way, and what we get is a relegation and a snub when the owner gave him unwavering support and did not sack him, and declared his job secure and professed trust and confidence in him. 'We just bought him three players of his choice and I've been in Amsterdam securing him a fourth. Then I get an email while I'm on business and that speaks volumes.'

Pannu insists Villa have made no official approach and McLeish, who has been on holiday, will not be allowed to talk to anyonePannu added: 'I won't blame any outside clubs yet until I find out more. He is still our contracted staff and Birmingham City does not grant him any right to speak to any outsiders until the matter is resolved.' McLeish, who led Birmingham to Carling Cup triumph - their first silverware for 48 years - against Arsenal last season, has been at loggerheads with Pannu and owner Carson Yeung over the last few months. However, Yeung has sanctioned the recent signings of disgraced striker Marlon King plus winger Chris Burke, Morgaro Gomis and Dutch striker Danny Koevermans. McLeish is also taking a risk with Villa but owner Randy Lerner is a fan and admires the job that the Scot has done at the Second City's other club. He fits the bill in that he has a proven Premier League pedigree.

Ironically, Villa had already been linked with Birmingham pair goalkeeper Ben Foster and defender Roger Johnson

Alex McLeish quits Birmingham

Alex McLeish has emerged as favourite to take charge of Aston Villa after quitting Birmingham City, according to reports.McLeish has decided to leave the Championship club after they were relegated on the final day of the Premier League season. The news brings to and end a four-year reign for McLeish after he took charge at St Andrew's in 2007 after quitting Scotland. He guided Blues to a Carling Cup win over Arsenal, which got them into the Europa League next season, but they could not beat the drop.

McLeish is now ready to cross the city to take charge of their arch-rivals Villa.

Villa have been looking for a replacement for Gerard Houllier, who left the club earlier this month, and they are now believed to have turned to a man under their noses after Mark Hughes, Steve McClaren, Rafa Benitez and Roberto Martinez were all ruled out.

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