Birmingham City-Aston Villa Preview

Posted Saturday, October 30, 2010 by

LONDON (SE) - Gerard Houllier is backing Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey to shoot down old club Birmingham in Sunday's Midlands derby.

Heskey was pilloried by Villa fans after missing a sitter during last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland but bounced back by scoring the winner in Wednesday’s 2-1 League Cup victory over Burnley.

Houllier has indicated that goal after coming on as substitute has put Heskey in contention for a rare Premier League start.

Former Liverpool manager Houllier said: “I thought his game was outstanding at Sunderland.

“It is unlucky he didn't score. I know he got a bit of stick because he missed, but at least he was in a position to score.

“The fans know he is working very hard and he is a player. Every game he plays he gives everything and his work rate is phenomenal, he keeps the ball.

“He gets a lot of knocks, it is difficult to play as a centre forward, you've got to be strong, you can't be a softie.

“He's playing well at the moment so I wanted to preserve him by leaving him on the bench, but he came on and changed the game.”

Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell is another player looking to put one over on his former teammates.

Ridgewell began his career at Villa Park but will lead out the visitors when the two sides renew one of the fiercest rivalries in English football.

The centre back, part of the Birmingham side beaten at Villa last season, said: “I don't think any of the players need extra motivation.

“To go to Villa to try and win, that's motivation enough. Lots of things happened last season with the penalty, the referee, and it going off. It was just a derby game.

“It’s part of the excitement, part of what a derby is all about and it gave people something to talk about.

“I think if you ask the Villa players they will be looking forward to it as much as we are.

“Hopefully it will be a good game, like last year, and we can put away the sort of chances we created then and come out with the win. That would be lovely.

“I don't think we owe them one. They have beaten us several times over the years so it isn't just one 2013 we owe them anyway.

“We want to do well and we will go into this derby like we have done in the past. We will be well prepared and ready and try and give our best.”

Birmingham have not won at Villa Park since December 2004 and Ridgewell added: “I'd love to win a derby with Blues. I had the pleasure 2013 if that's the right word 2013 of winning it with Villa.

“To win one with Blues would be even better. A great feeling.

“They are looking for Europe \2013 we are looking to stay in the Premier League. They are ahead of us in that respect.

“But we want to finish as high as possible and if that means going past Villa then so be it.”