Aston Villa v Birmingham City: "it's only a game"
Friday, 23 April 2010
Derbies impose nerve-wracking apprehension for days, force us to endure an hour and a half of nail-nibbling and freaking out, and then dictate our mood for the next week almost on the toss of a coin.
They are much more than just a game.
The major derbies worldwide and the unsung derbies of the English football ladder are characterised by hatred, tension and sub-plots. It's true of Boca v River, it's true of Exeter v Plymouth and it's true of Tooting v Sutton.
For bitterness and mutual disgust, few derbies can match Birmingham. The distaste between Aston Villa and Birmingham City is unequivocal and it runs right from the boardroom to the terraces and, sadly, the streets. It permeates daily life in the city, causes friction in and between families. It matters.
This Sunday, at the enforced early kick-off time of 12 noon, the latest episode in this most vicious of rivalries will turn Villa Park into a cauldron of guttural noise.
When league hostilities were resumed in 2002, it was Birmingham who had the edge, winning four and drawing two of the first six encounters, twice doing the double over their ailing neighbours from B6. But Villa have turned the tables and have won the last five in a row, contributing killer blows in City's battles against the drop on two occasions including a 5-1 destruction in the last match on their turf.
But while Villa have improved since then, don't expect a one-sided match this time round. It could be one of the most competitive Birmingham derbies for years.
Villa have won twice away from home this week and despite the poor quality of opposition beaten there is a feeling that their short but troublesome decline has been halted. Manchester City's defeat in their own derby against Manchester United last Saturday has blown the fight for fourth wide open.
Tottenham Hotspur lead the way thanks to their own superb form but their trip to Old Trafford and Manchester City's match against Arsenal mean that by Sunday lunchtime Villa could be set to make matters very interesting indeed.
Although Villa's form has picked up and their objective re-opened, there is a very real danger of them coming unstuck against Blues. Alex McLeish's side have won much admiration for a steady and solid season upon their return to the top flight. An impressive mid-season unbeaten run provided the high points of a campaign in which the prospect of relegation was dismissed early. A top half finish is a distinct possibility and there's no reason to believe they won't consolidate there next term.
Their development has been built on organisation and a solid backline featuring Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, both of whom have come on well this season. I think it's clear that the talent at Martin O'Neill's disposal is more dangerous and more varied than the Birmingham side, but the visitors have plenty going in their favour on Sunday, not least the fact that Villa must win to keep their season alive.
I also think Birmingham are better equipped to cause Villa problems than they have been prior to the five consecutive defeats previous. Their ability to defend well and the fact that they have relatively little to play for will clash directly with Villa's wishes. Martin O'Neill's side tend to produce their best football and their most positive results when opponents attack them and allow them space to play and room to get in behind and wreak havoc.
On Sunday they will come up against the kind of team against which they so often struggle to make headway. Villa will be allowed plenty of the ball in front of Birmingham and be faced with the task of opening up a defensive outfit which has won plaudits from football observers all season.
When Birmingham have the ball, they are capable of exposing another of Villa's weaknesses: dealing with teams who attack with quick passes and good movement. Stoke City and Wigan Athletic might have a reputation for physical football, but both have worried Villa at home this season by exploiting spaces and doing so at speed, as Middlesbrough in particular did last year.
On paper, Aston Villa should still win this match and I'm confident that I'll be looking down from the stands on Sunday and laughing heartily at the neighbours. But if Spurs and Manchester City both lose on Saturday don't be surprised if Villa fail to take advantage. In operational terms, Birmingham might just have exactly what it takes to spring a surprise.
So...your predictions, if you please.
(Pic via Birmingham Mail)
2 comments:
Looking on Blue Square it would seem Villa are huge favourites, but I, like you, am not so confident. Villa have the ability certainly to beat them, but I have a feeling this game will be very close. Villa are a better outfit than at any time in recent history, whereas those from the other side of town have also improved hugely; their best ever season. Despite that, they're still behind Villa.
Post a Comment