Aston Villa fans are threatening to return season tickets over the ongoing Alex McLeish row.

McLeish stepped down as boss of local rivals Birmingham - recently relegated to the Championship - suddenly on Sunday. Yesterday Villa confirmed it would be "imminently" interviewing him for the top job, prompting the Blues to commence legal proceedings.

"I would fear for the atmosphere and attendances at Villa Park if Alex McLeish is appointed manager," Jonathan Fear, editor of fans website Vital Villa, told The Telegraph. "I've got friends who are adamant they will return their season tickets if McLeish is appointed.

"He is a tough bloke but no matter how thick skinned you are, it will be a tough sell for him to win over the Villa fans. It is a slap in the face of Blues fans and has not pleased the Villa fans."

Villa's vacancy came about after Gerard Houllier was forced to resign for ill health.