Ireland has yet to make his debut for the club because of a thigh injury, so he has a lot to do.
The 24-year-old was quoted slagging off Gerard Houllier and said Birmingham was "a dump". So life could be 'interesting' when he returns to Villa Park after this loan spell.
Alan Pardew: "He's still got time to impress me because I still think there is a chance of something permanent here for Stephen.
"Things at Villa aren't going too well. I want to have a good look at him before he goes back.
"We haven't got anything in place in terms of a deal, there wasn't time.
"He is under a little bit of pressure because there aren't many games left, but when you've got a player of Stephen's character, I don't think that is a bad thing.
"He is a player who has played on a big stage in the past, it's not like he is coming from a team which isn't high profile."