ALEX McLEISH has completed his controversial move to Aston Villa and Paddy Power have opened betting on how he will fare in the new season.
The former Birmingham manager will be determined to silence his critics and Paddy Power make Villa 12-1 to land a trophy and just 5-4 to last his first season in charge.
But should the wheels come off completely the Villans are 20-1 for relegation. The Scot is 8-1 to be the first manager to lose his job once the season is underway.
Not only is McLeish’s Birmingham history falling foul of Villa fans but the fact City hardly set the league alight last season has not gone in his favour despite winning the Carling Cup.
After Birmingham scored just 19 goals at home, Paddy Power bet on whether McLeish will continue to play a defensively-minded brand of football and offer 14-1 Villa scoring 19 or less league goals at Villa Park next season and 10-1 they fail to score more than 38 league goals all season.
Villa fans could vote with their feet in protest, especially if they are served up some dull football fare, and Paddy Power offer just 1-2 the average attendance is less than the 37,720 they got last season.
Paddy Power also bet on how many players McLeish will bring with him from St Andrews to Villa Park with the likes of Ben Foster already touted for a transfer and several others released by the club.
It's 4-5 no players join McLeish in making the controversial move but consider one at 5-2 while it's 9-2 for two.