and Alex McLeish has hailed Stephen Ireland's form over the past few weeks as both player and manager try and win over the Villa fans.
Ireland was a superb player during his time with Manchester City, but he has rarely shown that sort of form since joining Villa in 2010, with some suggesting his "head is up his arse".
He only played a matter of minutes during his five month loan spell at St James' Park, and even when he returned to Villa, Pardew said: "I would still like to sign him!"
He appeared to react angrily towards McLeish during the recent match against Newcastle, before being substituted at half-time.
However, the incident was later played down and Alex McLeish want's to get on his 'good side'.
Alex McLeish: "Ireland has been a revelation in the last few weeks.
"From what I've seen the last couple of weeks, I'm thinking Stevie is starting to look like the player he was at Man City. There is a player in there alright.
"Not just Stevie, it is mind games for everyone. It is a psychological world that we live in especially with footballers.
"Sir Alex Ferguson told me that 10 years ago, when I went to see him at United. I said, 'Could you do things the same way as you did with us at Aberdeen?' and he said: 'No chance, you need to be a psychologist now' and he's right.
"I had a chat with him after Newcastle.
"Now with Stevie in form like that, he can play anywhere.
"You see the slide tackles, dispossessing people. I thought he was really good on one to ones when he didn't have the ball in terms of dispossession.
"He is at a very good moment - and long may that continue."