Nigel Reo-Coker: Aston Villa beating Birmingham City would be like winning the World Cup

Sep 11 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

NIGEL Reo-Coker has cranked up the importance of Villa’s derby with Blues by declaring that earning Second City bragging rights is “like winning the World Cup”.

Reo-Coker twice tasted victory as Martin O’Neill’s men did the double over their fierce rivals during their last Premier League encounters the season before last.

And the combative midfielder admits that the atmosphere in the St Andrew’s and Villa Park showdowns is so intense that players get through on pure adrenaline.

The former West Ham battler revealed that the numerous derbies he experienced in the capital paled into insignificance compared to the Villa and Blues clashes.

“It’s a different derby,” said Reo-Coker. “You play so many derbies in London, but this is the main one here with the passion of the fans.

“You’ve only got to talk to a few Villa fans to understand how passionate they are about this game and how important this game is to them. This is like winning the World Cup.

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“I understand that and I was fortunate to play in the last two derbies. It was a great experience. You can’t really put it into words, the adrenaline goes throughout the 90 minutes.

“It’s fantastic, the atmosphere overtakes the whole situation and you really get into the game and get through on pure adrenaline.”

Reo-Coker revelled in Villa’s 2-1 victory at St Andrew’s in November 2007 and the 5-1 battering of Blues at Villa Park in April 2008 and is relishing renewing rivalries.