McLeish wanted to bring in Given as a replacement for Joe Hart who enjoyed a successful season at Blues on loan from Manchester City. The Scot eventually landed Ben Foster from Manchester United after being surprised Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to allow him to leave Old Trafford. But McLeish finally linked up with Given at Villa Park this summer although he admits Foster was also under consideration following Birmingham's relegation from the Premier League. McLeish, whose side will entertain Foster's current club, West Brom, on Saturday, said: "I was always thinking about Ben, there's no doubt about it. He's a terrific goalkeeper. "But Shay seemed to make more sense for us, in terms of the current climate. "I was focused on Shay, I really had made my mind up when I was announced as manager here that Shay was going to be my number one target. "He was also a player that I tried to get before Ben at Blues, but it was great to get a goalie of the calibre of Ben. "I never thought I could get Foster but, when Sir Alex said he would make him available, I went for him." McLeish admits the form of Gabriel Agbonlahor for Villa against Birmingham was a reason in him trying to resurrect the career of the striker this season after a difficult 12 months. Agbonlahor scored three times in five meetings with Blues when McLeish was at the helm. McLeish said: "I hope derbies bring the best out of him. He was definitely a difficult customer whenever Birmingham played Villa when I was in charge. "It is one of the reasons why I had to try and resurrect Gabby Agbonlahor and get him back to the potent force we are seeing just now. "We had some banter when I arrived here after what he had done against Birmingham and I said 'I should slap you!' "But, now I am working with him, it is great to see him showing so much confidence and belief in himself."
