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

Sep 11 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

And the 25-year-old believes Alex McLeish’s hosts will meet their near neighbours in fine form after a return to 4-5-1 heralded wins over Liverpool and Fulham.

“The Birmingham derby, let’s hope there’s another classic in order,” said Reo-Coker.

“I was fortunate to play in them two years ago and the atmosphere is tremendous.

“The thing about derby games is you’ll either get a very good derby game or you’ll get an average derby game.

“We’re going to make sure it’s a very good one. We’ve got the foundation now, we’ve set it up. We look a lot solid with the 4-5-1 formation.

“We’re really working for each other and creating chances. It’s not just a defensively minded 4-5-1, it’s an attacking-minded 4-5-1.

“We’ve got great youthful energy and the confidence should be up after two very good performances against Liverpool and Fulham.

“We should be in a very positive frame of mind and looking forward to it.”

New signing James Collins could make his Villa debut in the hostile St Andrew’s atmosphere on Sunday, but has appealed for a trouble-free derby.

Collins was playing for West Ham when violence erupted at their Carling Cup tie with Millwall at Upton Park last month after hooligans clashed.

“I’ve heard Villa-Birmingham is quite tasty,” he said.

“I have obviously heard a lot about it, and how passionate a derby it is and it is a game to look forward to.

“Millwall-West Ham was a bit of a crazy night also, so hopefully we don’t see anything of what we saw that night.

“No one wants to see that on a pitch and hopefully it is a good game.

“I am passionate about every game and derbies are a little bit spicier and have more about them.”