It was wonderful to see Paul McGrath in the news yesterday backing Richard Dunne to become a Villa stalwart and defensive colossus over the next few seasons. I personally hadn’t been aware that so many similarities could be drawn between the two players, from their shady histories and both being pushed out of Manchester and signing for Villa at the same age.

At 29 I did have second thoughts about signing a player who is nearing his twilight years, but if God’s career is anything to go by, Dunne could have another six seasons at Villa Park. I just can’t wait to see if he settles as well as we are all hoping.

Dunne’s first game will almost certainly come on Sunday as Villa undertake the short jaunt to St. Andrew's and the first second City derby in over a year as Birmingham impressively gained promotion back into the top flight.

The general consensus from Villa fans I have spoken to is that this will be a simple Villa win, but I am a little worried about this fixture.

Big ‘Eck is a manager I do admire, he likes his teams to get the ball down and play and he likes hard working players in his team. In some respects his style reminds me of a certain Northern Irish chap plying his trade down the road.

It is no secret that we have a stronger squad and starting eleven, but we all know that this counts for nothing in a game as big as this and despite largely having the better team for the last god knows how long, we have still managed to lose as many as we have won.

Having watched Birmingham play on the TV this season and looking at some of the signings they have made I honestly think they have a good chance of staying up. They have a solid midfield with some hard workers and good passers, the pick for me being McFadden in the middle and Johnson, who I fancy to be one of the ‘deals of the season’ come the end of the season.

I think they are going to be the classic ‘difficult team to break down’ side that Bolton have become in recent years, packing the midfield and playing a very physical game. It’s not going to be easy for the lads on Sunday, but I have confidence that we can win it.

The problem they have, in my opinion, is going to be scoring however there is talk we are going to see Christian Benitez at the weekend or ‘Chucho’ as he is more commonly known. Form what I’ve seen he looks dangerous and I hope Dunne has his number on Sunday.

So, who will play?

Will Warnock make his home debut or will Shorey continue after his solid start to the season? I am pretty certain it will be 4-5-1 again as we are away and the midfield battle is going to be exactly that, a battle. Reo-Coker must play in my opinion.

Will it be Gabby after his goal against Fulham or will Carew start? I think it’s fair to say we won’t be seeing Heskey start.

To those of the opinion we should be nurturing our young talent is there a place for Clark, Delph or even Albrighton? Delfouneso played well for the England kids again and had a good game by all accounts so should he be in contention?

I think we’ll score late in the first half, O'Neill has a shout at half time and we come out all guns blazing, score two before the hour and for good measure, I think Blues will get a late consolation. 1-3 to the Villa and happy trip home.

Fingers crossed for a brilliant game, but the right result at the end of the day.

Comments (18)

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Deano-avfc said:

... Good post! I think we'll win 2.0, with goals from A.Young and J.Milner. Roll on Sunday, UTV

Comment 1, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.02 am

Barry Martin said:

... gonna go for a 4-1 score line,gabby to start and knock in 2

Comment 2, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.04 am

thomas kelleher said:

... haha mellberg.what a legend.

Comment 3, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.04 am

Mark Johnson said:

... Damien, I think you're spot on about it being a difficult fixture, I'd like to see the youngsters you mention, given a run at about 70 mins, however can you imagine If Clark is responsible for the goal? how bad will it effect his confidence, for this reason I'd stick with Delph & Marco on this occaision. We're off to the pub to watch this one with my father in law so can't drink too much, I'll end up crashing his wheelchair on the way home LOL UTV

Comment 4, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.09 am

Philip Arkinstall said:

... Interesting comments on the Villa website from MON. Saying it isn't about the formation it's about the players - that should raise some debate around here!

Comment 5, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.10 am

Chris Harper said:

... I hope Shorey keeps his place for this match, he's been great last few games. Going forward he's really good. Would be a shame for him to be pushed aside for no real reason other than to give someone a debut. I think we'll win but not as convincingly as our last meeting. I say 3-1, with us scoring late on to wrap up the victory after a period of pressure from city. UTV! I can't wait

Comment 6, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.11 am

Chris Harper said:

... Interesting comments on the Villa website from MON. Saying it isn't about the formation it's about the players - that should raise some debate around here! He has a point. A bunch of us bloggers playing 4-5-1 against Birmingham City would probably lose! On a serious note, its the formation that allows players to play to their strengths, therefore you could argue its the formation that matters.... Interesting

Comment 7, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.14 am

Adrian Kilgallon said:

... I think MON has to start with expirence for this one. I would leave the defense as it was againest Fulham except for putting Dunne in for Clarke. Wouldn't risk Warnock as i don't think we should start the game with 2 new defenders and Dunne is more vital IMO. As much as i don't rate Sidwell i would also start him also due to his expierence. I think MON will play the same team that started againest Fulham with Dunne replacing Clarke. Delph to replace Sidwell later and Carew on for Gabby also. A tight one nil win.

Comment 8, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.14 am

Stathis said:

... Hm the youngsters probably shouldnt go in at this match, and all players in form should keep their place - imo I go for a 1-2 win, in any case we should keep up our run of straight wins - like Gabby said, the momentum is good

Comment 9, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.41 am

StickyAV said:

... Chris, Amazing really how things have changed isn't it? From Shorey does nothing, off with his head, when we first sign him, to I hope he keeps his place. Don't get me wrong, i think your views match his form, I just find it amusing.

Comment 10, made on September 10, 2009 at 10.45 am

Simon said:

... Don't think there will be many goals in this one and would hope to have the carews and NRC's in there as its bound to be physical.

Comment 11, made on September 10, 2009 at 11.02 am

John Samuels said:

... Deano, Cheers, I try.

Comment 12, made on September 10, 2009 at 11.03 am

Christian said:

... Good article John, but Warnock definitely wont be making his 'home debut' this weekend

Comment 13, made on September 10, 2009 at 11.39 am

John Samuels said:

... Christian, yeah noticed that one when Damien posted it this morning. D'oh! Damien you could have marked it for me. 7/10 for spelling and punctuation?

Comment 14, made on September 10, 2009 at 4.30 pm

Gavin Merriman said:

... Good article! I'd hadn't considered the similarities between dunne and god. Since laursen's injury we've lacked a leader to organise & control the defense. Dunne will hopefully become that leader! I'm expecting the impact on the players around him will be greater than what he brings individually. I know loads of man city fans who really rate dunne. They've all said the same thing. That he is a great player (and captain) but that he was a bit ropey last year and scores too many own goals. All of them were sorry to see him go and think he'll be great for us. I'm really nervous about the small heath game. We should win but I've no idea what will unfolf.

Comment 15, made on September 10, 2009 at 5.18 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Worry not guys, we won't lose this one. It will be a 2 all draw. I just feel it in my (old) bones. Unless... Unless we play 4-1-3-1-1, or variations on that theme. For example; when defending we will fall back into a 6-3-1, and when streaming forward with bits firmly clamped between our pearlies we will reform into a 0-1-2-3-4. As you can see I have spent much time and opened many tinnies to arrive at these conclusions. UTV - SOTC

Comment 16, made on September 10, 2009 at 6.54 pm

afvcbob said:

... UTV - SOTC

Comment 17, made on September 10, 2009 at 8.32 pm

afvcbob said:

... Villa 3 Shite 0 (Gabby,Dunne,Sidwell)

Comment 18, made on September 10, 2009 at 8.34 pm

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