STEPHEN IRELAND IS targeting a fresh start at Aston Villa under new manager Alex McLeish.

The midfielder hasn’t had the happiest of times since his days playing under Mark Hughes at Manchester City and has revealed that he did not want to join Newcastle on loan last season.

Speaking to his club’s official website, the Cork man is also determined that the upcoming season will see him get his flagging career back on track as quickly as possible.

He said:

“You have to start with a fresh new slate now. It didn’t go off with a bang like I wanted it to when I first signed here.

“I just want to be given the opportunity to play. Last year I felt in training I had done enough to get that chance to play but it didn’t happen for me for whatever reason.”

Ireland made the move to Villa Park from City last summer but made just 14 appearances before being sent out on loan to Newcastle by Gerard Houllier after being branded ‘lazy’ by the Frenchman – where injuries prevented him from making any real impact.

“Gerard came in, and everyone has their own opinions, and I wasn’t for him I guess,” Ireland added to Sky Sports News.

Read Stephen Ireland’s full interview on www.avfc.co.uk >>>>