Swansea vs Aston Villa preview - Villa are in `transition` - McLeish

Posted Sunday, November 27, 2011 by PA

Alex McLeish admits Aston Villa are in a period of transition and that the club has to "run within its means" after chief executive Paul Faulkner set his sights on securing European football.

McLeish has had no discussions with Faulkner or club owner Randy Lerner about whether money will be available for new players in January, and is aware that Villa's wage bill has to be reduced further.

But the Scot will do everything possible to keep Villa at the top end of the Barclays Premier League, even though he feels Faulkner's European hopes do not necessarily relate to the current campaign.

McLeish said: "We're in eighth position so the European positions are not too far away. But I think Paul means ultimately (in the future) when he says that.

"Of course I don't wake up any morning thinking `My team are going to be beat.' I'm always very positive about the outcome and looking to finish as high as we can up the table.

"But we aren't as strong in terms of experienced players as we were last season so, as I keep saying, we are going through a transitional period at the club.

"I know every single Villa fan expects us to be fighting for Europe every year of Villa's existence and I accept those expectation levels.

"Villa fans would be of that mindset because of the history and the heritage so I'll just keep fighting.

"I'm a rottweiler, I don't give up easily and I'll try and keep the club in a very good stable position and try and get as high up the table as we can with the resources that we've got."

Asked about his January transfer plans, McLeish said: "At the moment we've not had that discussion about whether we will be in the market to bring new players in.

"Randy (Lerner) and the board want to drive the wages down, in terms of the Financial Fair Play (rules), but also in the way that the club is run and not to be doing a Leeds United.

"That's the state of affairs at the moment. It depends where we're at. If we're in a really healthy position. we'll probably not look to do anything."

McLeish confirmed midfielder Barry Bannan will be available for Sunday's clash at Swansea after his 18-month driving ban.

Bannan pleaded guilty to drink-driving and three other motoring offences at Nottingham Magistrates Court and was also fined #4,500 in addition to being disciplined by the club.

On-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas will return to the Villa squad. Jenas was ineligible to face his parent club Tottenham when Villa went down 2-0 at White Hart Lane on Monday. He has yet to start a game for Villa.

But skipper Stiliyan Petrov (hamstring) and fellow midfielder Chris Herd (leg) are battling to be fit to face the Swans.

Villa have yet to record an away win in the Premier League this season but Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm is taken nothing for granted ahead of the clash at the Liberty Stadium.

McLeish's side lie eighth in the table but have picked up just one win from their last five games.

They have also failed to land all three points in their six away fixtures to date, having played out four draws and two defeats, but Dutch goalkeeper Vorm says any side containing the likes of Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor, who have 10 goals between them this season, will be a force to be reckoned with.

The former Utrecht stopper said: "I have seen some highlights of them and away from home they have not won this season.

"But they are a team with great players like Darren Bent, who always scores 15 to 20 goals a season and if we make a mistake like we did against Manchester United he is someone that can finish it.

"Agbonlahor and Bent are big threats. Bent has scored so many goals and has the kind of qualities that don't disappear just because you have had one or two defeats.

"We have to be careful, especially if you have a lot of possession in the game. You still always have to watch out for these kind of players because they only need one chance.

"It will be tough but if we play like we did in the second half against United, or for the whole game against Liverpool, we can beat anybody."

Vorm, 28, has proven to be one of the bargain buys of this campaign after turning in a string of excellent performances since his #1.5million summer move.

His athleticism and agility have seen him make several outstanding saves and helped Swansea to concede just two goals at their Liberty Stadium home.

But he has no intention of resting on his laurels, and says continued focus from him and his defence will be vital if Swansea are to get a result against Villa, and ultimately retain their top-flight status.

"I don't think being relaxed is a good attitude to have. We've won our games and got clean sheets because of our good attitude and focus, so we have to keep that because when that happens it's hard to beat us," he said.

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers is set to restore midfielder Joe Allen to his starting line-up.

Wales international Allen, who has won plaudits for his superb form so far this term, had to settle for a place on the bench against Manchester United due to a calf problem but is likely to return to the side at the Liberty Stadium.

Centre-half Steven Caulker has returned to training after his knee injury, but is not likely to be risked.