Liam Ridgewell ready for derby reunion

Nov 7 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM City defender Liam Ridgewell will treat Sunday's derby against Aston Villa like any other.

The centre-half has insisted he has nothing to prove against his former club.

Ridgewell made a £2million move across the city in late summer, becoming the first player to switch Second City clubs on a permanent basis in 23 years.

"I didn't put a cross on the calendar but you look out for the derby game, any derby, whoever you are playing for," he said. "I don't think I've got a point to prove to Villa.

"I came here to play football, that's what I am doing this season. I want to play football and get on. That's what I am doing with Birmingham.

"It is one of those things moving across the city but hopefully I can show the fans my heart is in it.

"I play for the team and the club and I've been doing it every week."

Ridgewell was made captain by manager Steve Bruce in the absence of injured midfielder Damien Johnson.

It was an honour he warmly accepted. "It was fantastic to get the armband and to stay with it at the minute is fantastic as well," he said.

Ridgewell said he didn't feel weighed down by the move, especially as Blues' fans took him to their hearts immediately.

In the first home game the Tilton Road broke into a chorus of 'There's only one Liam Ridgewell'.

"I don't think there is a lot of baggage in moving from Villa," he said. "I just go about my business, do what I've got to do, stay quiet about it and just play my football and it's good for me. I've had no bad reaction from Villa fans. I stay in with the family and the little one and keep myself to myself and get on with my football, do it on the pitch."

As for his old club, Ridgewell said: "They seem to have started well and I am sure they will be hoping for a good season."