• Premier League

McLeish sacked by Villa

ESPN staff
May 14, 2012
Alex McLeish led Aston Villa to 16th this season © PA Photos
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Alex McLeish has paid the price for a season of underachievement in the Premier League after he was sacked as Aston Villa boss on Monday.

In the aftermath of Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Norwich, which saw Villa end the campaign just two points clear of the bottom three in 16th place, McLeish was summoned to talks with chief executive Paul Faulkner.

McLeish insisted after the Carrow Road loss that he was still the right man for the job and was aiming to rebuild the side. But Villa owner Randy Lerner has decided it is time to search for a fourth manager in less than two years.

Lerner said: "We need to be clear and candid with ourselves and with supporters about what we have lacked in recent years: compelling play and results that instil a sense of confidence that Villa is on the right track have been plainly absent.

"The most immediate action that we can take is to look carefully at our options in terms of bringing in a new manager who sees the club's potential and embraces our collective expectations."

Villa's tally of 38 points is one less than when McLeish was relegated with Birmingham in 2010/11, while Villa have also encountered their worst season in terms of their home record, registering just four wins.

It is also the first Premier League season in which Villa have failed to notch up double figures in terms of victories.

McLeish was never a popular choice with Villa fans, given his experience of managing rivals Birmingham, and results on the pitch did little to win the crowd over.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and Norwich manager Paul Lambert are thought to be leading candidates to replace McLeish.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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