Villa set to hold talks with McLeish

Villa - who have been without a manager since Gerard Houllier stepped down because of health reasons at the end of the season - have been rebuffed by Wigan's Roberto Martinez while they opted not to pursue either Mark Hughes or Steve McClaren.

However, McLeish became favourite for the job when he sent an email announcing he was resigning as manager of Villa's bitter city rivals Birmingham City on Sunday - ending his almost four year spell there.

Villa, who had a disappointing season last term losing manager Martin O'Neill early on when he resigned over the lack of transfer funds available to him and then flirted with relegation, said they had taken into account the fact McLeish had been in charge of Birmingham.

However, the 52-year-old Scot, who led Birmingham to their first major trophy in 48 years when they beat Arsenal 2-1 in the League Cup final in February but failed to save them from relegation, would not be the first to manage both clubs.

Ron Saunders guided Villa to the 1981 league title before leaving suddenly in February 1982 to manage Birmingham.

"The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent," said a Villa statement. "We therefore intend to interview him imminently.

"In deciding to interview McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously."

However, the club said that they would not let that stop them from hiring the former Rangers and Scotland manager should he meet the requirements they wanted for their next manager.

"We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half-year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager.

"From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa.

"We know that without a shared vision any appointment, however attractive, will ultimately fail.

"We feel it is essential to select a manager who understands and supports our strategy for the club to grow and to be sustainable.

"Otherwise, the natural tensions and competitive pressures that are involved with every season will ultimately cause instability and make continuity impossible."

Earlier McLeish had been defended in the manner he had resigned from Birmingham by Richard Bevan, the head of the League Managers Association (LMA).

"Alex decided to resign because there were serious issues," Bevan told BBC Radio. "It dates back to May when Alex's chief scout was sacked and not being consulted over player transfers."

McLeish, currently on holiday in Corsica, is pursuing a case for constructive dismissal against Birmingham.

Bevan said that Birmingham had perhaps broken employment law in revealing details of McLeish's contract.

"Mr Peter Pannu, a senior member of the board, has put into the public domain confidential information contained in Alex's contract. This is without doubt a breach of confidence.

"It is disappointing that Alex appears to have been criticised for sending his formal resignation letter by e-mail.

"Particularly given that one of the issues Alex resigned over was Mr Pannu's sacking of Alex's chief scout, who learned that he was to be dismissed when he was copied in on an e-mail from Mr Pannu to one of the club's officials."

Pannu had said earlier on Tuesday that, should McLeish join Villa, Birmingham would seek compensation to the tune of £5.4 million ($8.85m) for the remaining two and a quarter years remaining on McLeish's contract when he quit.