Alex McLeish defiant over Aston Villa fans' anger

Alex McLeish says he is "strong enough" to handle the pressure of being the target of dissenting Aston Villa fans and urged them to throw their support behind his injury-hit team.

The former Birmingham manager was jeered during last week's goalless draw at Wigan, and Villa face Blackburn tomorrow without injured striker Darren Bent.

But McLeish, in a week where his club announced losses of nearly £54m, denied the fans' anger would affect him, saying: "It's never stopped me, I've never wavered in my commitment to Aston Villa... and the course we are taking. I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me, that it was easy to handle and there was no pressure whatever. But I believe I'm strong enough and I've got the experience to handle it."