Alex McLeish puts Aston Villa head over Birmingham City heart

Aston Villa have a better chance of earning promotion than Birmingham City, says the clubs' former manager Alex McLeish.

Steve Bruce, another former Birmingham manager, has brought in ex-Chelsea captain John Terry to Villa Park in a bid to boost his current Midlands side's push for a return to the Premier League.

Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp has also been active in the transfer window, though, with proven Championship-level arrivals David Stockdale (Brighton) and Marc Roberts (Barnsley) intended to steer Redknapp's ambitions of promotion to the top flight.

McLeish, who oversaw relegation during his time in charge at St Andrew's, has revealed he still has a soft spot for one of the second-city sides, but it is the other which is more likely to have a chance of finishing in the top six.

"It would be great to see that battle between the two of them, and those getting in there," McLeish told Sky Sports News.

"My heart strings for the Blues having spent more time there, and I would like to see them get in the top six.

"The probability is that Villa have the better chance of being in that top six, but there are no guarantees in this Championship.

"You cannot predict a result form week to week. It's so unpredictable."