Former Aston Villa manager Ron Atkinson believes Alex McLeish would be the perfect man to take the reins at the club.
'Big Ron' admits he had reservations when the stories about McLeish quitting Birmingham City fist broke but now has warmed to the idea of the ex-Rangers and Scotland boss taking stepping into Gerard Houllier's role.
"You've got to admire his courage for wanting it and for taking it on. But now he has to meet the hostility head on," Atkinson told Express & Star.
"He can't be a shrinking violet. He has to get out there and meet the Villa fans and tell them why he has come to the job.
"He has clearly come because he is ambitious and thinks those ambitions have a better chance of being realised at Villa.
"Ashley Young is off to Manchester United but he could win favour by saying 'no-one else leaves the building'. He'll have to be strong with Stewart Downing and say 'you're not going.'
"Nothing wins fans over more than a couple of bold, exciting signings to capture the imagination.
"That will do wonders for his standing and show the fans they really mean business."