New Aston Villa loan signing Robbie Keane has been urged by manager Alex McLeish to have the same effect on the side that Thierry Henry has had at Arsenal.

The 34 year old Ireland international joined the Claret and Blues on a short term loan deal from Major League Soccer club the Los Angeles Galaxy.

He will be making his long awaited first appearance for the side from Midlands this weekend against Everton and McLeish wants nothing but goals from the Irish goal machine.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool player left the English Premier League for a last big pay day in the United States and he has been in decent form, helping the Galaxy to win the MLS Cup.

Thierry Henry, who has returned to former club Arsenal on a short term loan deal from another MLS side the New York Red Bulls turned back the years as he came off the bench in the FA Cup 3rd round match against Leeds United to score the winner and Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish expects Robbie Keane to have the same kind of impact on the side, starting with the weekend fixture against The Toffees at Villa Park.

Robbie Keane has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of the English Premier League during his spells at Leeds United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and the man who has scored tons of goals for his national team as well is being looked at as someone who can bail out the misfiring side and also help England international striker Darren Bent find his touch in front of goal once again.

Aston Villa are currently languishing in the bottom half of the English Premier League table and have not been consistent at all and all that needs to be seen is whether the signing of Robbie Keane can lift them up the table.