Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish hopes to build a strong bond with his new players

EPL ; Alex McLeish – Gerard Houllier, Birmingham City v Aston Villa(Getty Images)

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New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish wants to try and build a strong working relationship with his players once they come back from their summer holidays.

McLeish has been the subject of ire from Villa fans and supporters of their biggest rivals, Birmingham City, whom the Scot left a week before being appointed by chairman Randy Lerner.

Many supporters protested at Villa Park at the prospect of McLeish becoming the new boss and a large Facebook group was started for fans to convey their negative feelings.

The 52-year-old, who held clear-the-air talks with a group of supporters last week, is now hoping to win over his new players with a series of meetings where any issues can be brought to the surface and quickly dealt with.

“I think it’s important there are plenty of one-to-ones,” he told reporters.

“If there’s something that needs to be said in front of the whole group then it gets said and guys will be told.

“At the same time I think you’ve got to establish relationships as well with players and vice-versa to get the best out of them.

“I’ve spoken to one or two, not everybody, but there’s one or two I have had a chat with and I plan to speak to others in the coming week.”

The former Rangers manager also had a warning for players should they step out of line, stating that he would instil a strong discipline at the club to deal with any problems.

He added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt about the fact that I’m in charge.

“But where we’re coming from is we’ll lay down some ground rules.

“There will be templates for the training ground and some in-house rules so that nobody is in any doubt from the start about the way forward for the club.

“I think it’s definitely a changed game from the era that I played in.

“It’s different mentalities you’re dealing with.”