Sunday afternoon’s early kick-off in the Championship is probably the biggest game of the weekend in the Football League, even if the state of the table wouldn’t necessarily hint at it. Although Aston Villa are in fifth, they could drop as far as eighth before they play their city rivals Birmingham who, for their part, could be in the relegation zone before the game.
That might only serve to give added incentive for both groups of players, however, as Aston Villa’s form has picked up in recent weeks, and they’re looking to secure a play-off spot at the very least, whilst Birmingham will be attempting to kick-start a season that went very badly very quickly.
The one thing about the Championship, though, is that things can change very quickly. And a derby is often the perfect springboard.
One man who played for both clubs is Emile Heskey, who played 78 times for Birmingham and 110 for Villa. All in all, he scored 30 times whilst playing for Birmingham clubs, including a derby.
Indeed, in an interview with 888 Sport, this week, you can almost picture his face lighting up when being reminded of a goal he scored for the Blues against the Villans in 2005: “Ah that was wonderful,” he recalled.
“That was really great to be honest with you. At the end of the day Villa are the bigger club, there is no ifs or buts about it. So to be at the smaller club and score at home is just a great feeling to give the fans an opportunity to gloat.”
The atmosphere in the derby that Heskey describes as ‘tough and feisty’ will certainly be the a boost for the Blues on Sunday as they try to get their season going. Being roared on by their home fans in a game where everyone gets behind the team despite results will be as special as it is important.
At the moment, though, the form would very much point to an Aston Villa victory. They have lost just once in the league since a dull draw against Middlesbrough in the middle of September, and even then they’ve been beaten only by the impressive league leaders Wolves.
Heskey is clearly of the belief that Steve Bruce is a manager who deserves the credit for that, but whether or not he’ll be able to mastermind a promotion this season, the former England striker isn’t so sure:
“I think [Bruce] is great,” said Heskey. “He’s a wonderful man who knows what he wants.
“He understands the physicality of the Championship but one thing I would say is that Villa need a bit of time. When I’ve watched them play they don’t look too confident.
“When you look at when I was playing for them we had Ashley Young, James Milner, Gabby Agbonlahor and John Carew; Gareth Barry and Sylian Petrov, these are all confident players who went out and expressed themselves.
“Now they’re not and it’s going to take a bit of time for the manager to install that.”
That doesn’t mean to say that this Villa squad can’t get promoted at the second time of asking. Indeed, many worse squads have succeeded in the past. But perhaps the defeat to Wolves showed just where Villa are at in their development – not quite there just yet. But they have a long time left this season to put it right.
In fact, perhaps Bruce’s masterstroke this summer was bringing in John Terry: not just because of what he can bring to the first team, but what he can bring to the squad, helping young players and instilling a winning mentality into the side.
“His experience can help not only the lads who are there now but the young lads who are looking to get into the squad in the future,” Heskey said.
“They will see what it takes to get to that next level. He’s done it and worn all of the jerseys so it’s great. He’s not the same John Terry who won the Champions League but he’s still got a lot to offer and when you get older you might not be as quick and sharp but you’re mentally wiser and know where to be at the right times.”
Read the full 888sport interview with Emile Heskey, including his thoughts on an Aston Villa side lacking confidence.