Jonathan Greening hopes for a derby hero

Sep 19 2008 By Chris Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

JONATHAN Greening has challenged his team-mates to write themselves into Albion folklore by scoring the winner against Villa.

Tony Mowbray’s men take on their most traditional rivals at The Hawthorns on Sunday hoping to end more than 23 years of hurt.

Albion have not beaten Villa since Canadian winger Carl Valentine scored the only goal of the game in April 1985.

Greening, who was just six-years-old at the time, is hoping someone in the current squad will join that exclusive club.

The Albion captain told the Birmingham Mail: “There’s a chance for someone to go down in folklore and that’s what it’s about if you score a winning goal in the derby – you’ll be remembered for a long time.

“Even when we were in the Premier League the last couple of times we had some good games and were unlucky.

“I remember Paul Robinson’s flying header but the game at home, where we lost, we probably deserved to get something out of it.

“We’re not afraid of them and we know if we play like we have done so far this season then we have a good chance.”

One player who will be looking to break his duck for Albion is Luke Moore.The striker has made 12 appearances for the club since his initial loan move from Villa last January but has yet to score.

Greening feels the ex-Villa trainee will be desperate to prove his former manager Martin O’Neill wrong.

“When you play your old teams you do want to play well,” added Greening.

“I remember when we played Middlesbrough and I went back there, I did want to show them what they were missing so I’m sure Luke will be desperate to do well.

“He will obviously want to bang a few in to show Martin O’Neill he was wrong to let him go.

“If Luke could come off the bench and score the winner, it would be great for the papers.

“What a way that would be to hit the goal trail – to score against Villa,” he said.

“Luke’s shown in training here just how good he is but maybe he’s not started as many games in a row and he’s had a few injuries as well which haven’t helped him either.

“It’s hard to win over the fans when you come from one of your main rivals but he’s a good player and when he gets his chance, which he will, then he needs to take it and make it his place to lose.”