Birmingham City v Aston Villa - it's Blues time, says Jon McCarthy

Nov 30 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BLUES should garner plenty of belief from their recent derbies against Villa.

And Jon McCarthy is backing Blues to win at the eighth time of asking in a Second City skirmish.

“The two games Blues had against Villa in the last year I’ve felt they’ve been the better team,” said the former winger.

“When I say better team, they’ve put in the better performances each time.

“Villa had the stronger squad last year, they did have some better quality players and ultimately that’s what undid Blues.

“They had more pace and better finishers and Blues lost games at St Andrew’s and Villa Park to them which was frustrating, it was due to the quality thing.

“In October when Blues went to Villa Park, it was noticeable that there was a change. You looked at Blues’ bench and even Villa fans did, and felt it was stronger.

“Villa were – are – in a bit of transition. They lack some experience, which counts for a lot, especially in derby matches.

“Blues played well that day at Villa Park this season but they didn’t have what it needed to take the chances they got.