Gabby pleads with Villa fans

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has pleaded with disgruntled fans to give new manager Alex McLeish time to prove his ability.

Villa's decision to appoint McLeish less than a week after he quit arch-rivals Birmingham has incensed supporters.

Agbonlahor: Wants fans to give McLeish time
It is not only the 52-year-old Scot's association with Blues which has been a source of consternation - and even protest - but the perception he advocates a direct style.
Agbonlahor, 24, said: "At Birmingham his team had to play a certain way and some Villa supporters seem to be worried about that kind of style because it's not Villa's way.
"But with the talented group of attacking players he'll have at his disposal here, it will be a lot different and I'm sure that's another reason why he's taking this challenge.
"He will have a really good group of players to work with here, a strong squad and I see exciting times ahead, I really do.
"To those Villa fans who don't seem to be happy with his appointment, my message is simply to give him a chance and see what he can do.
"He'll do well here. He'll do a good job for the club."
McLeish's appointment was confirmed yesterday but the controversy it has caused seems far from over.
McLeish accepts he must win over supporters while Birmingham are also determined to maintain their legal challenge.
Blues accused Villa of tapping up McLeish earlier in the week and they insist they are entitled to compensation for the two years that were remaining on his broken contract.
A statement read: "The fact that Alex McLeish has been appointed as manager of Aston Villa does not, in any way, mean that the legal dispute is over and Birmingham City Football Club maintains its stance and shall vigorously pursue the matter.


"We are very disappointed with how the club and its fans have been treated by Mr McLeish, given the way we have supported him over the years and we are still looking into whether Aston Villa's conduct has been in line with Premier League rules.
"As the club is currently enforcing its legal right with Mr McLeish the matter is in the hands of our lawyers."
McLeish, a former Scotland and title-winning Rangers boss, suffered his second relegation with Birmingham last month but did win the Carling Cup earlier in the year.
He said: "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."

Toon announce Marveaux capture

Newcastle's French revolution is to continue after Alan Pardew won the battle for Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux.

Marveaux: Joining Newcastle United

The 25-year-old will formally complete a Bosman free transfer move to St James' Park on July 1 after signing a five-year deal.
Marveaux had been heavily tipped to head for Liverpool this summer, although reports on Friday suggested the move had broken down because of a problem with his medical.
The former France Under-21 international has been out of action since November with a groin injury suffered during a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest.
However, the Magpies carried out their own checks and are confident that will not be an issue, and have snapped up their third close-season signing.
Pardew said: "It's a great coup to have signed Sylvain, who has received interest from a number of other clubs.
"He may not be well known to many of our fans, but he is a real talent and a player we have been keeping an eye on for some time.
"It's been a good couple of days for us on the transfer front."
Marveaux is a left-sided midfielder and the third Frenchman recruited to the Newcastle engine room in the last year or so after Hatem Ben Arfa and recent signing Yohan Cabaye.
Confirmation of his capture comes just a day after the Magpies unveiled Senegal international striker Demba Ba as their second summer arrival, following in Cabaye's wake.
His signing will help to offset the loss of skipper Kevin Nolan, who joined West Ham in a move understood to amount to £4million on Thursday, while Alan Smith has also been told he can leave.
With Joey Barton having been informed that he will not be offered a new contract, there is a school of thought which suggests he too will be sold this summer rather than be allowed to leave for free when his current deal expires in 12 months' time.
Newcastle's swoop for Marveaux has come somewhat under the radar with speculation this week linking them with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Tranquillo Barnetta and St Etienne's Blaise Matuidi, both players in whom they have had an interest, though it remains to be seen how strong that interest is.
However, chief scout Graham Carr has made a detailed study of the talent available in continental Europe and having achieved such success with former FC Twente midfielder Cheick Tiote last season, the Magpies will hope for a similar return from their latest acquisitions.
Pardew is also edging closer to completing a move for Swansea full-back Neil Taylor, while Ba's arrival is unlikely to end his search for strikers with Leon Best and Nile Ranger both surplus to requirements.