Rivalry fires up boosters, says Draper
ASTON VILLA could make it glum for Brum in today’s second city derby – and use it as a launchpad for a promotion campaign.
That’s the view of former Villa star, Mark Draper, who spent five years at the club between 1995 and 2000. During Draper’s time at Villa Park, the Midlands giants routinely chased honours and appeared in Europe three years in succession.
Those days are now a distant memory for Villa Park regulars.
Their last continental adventure came back in 2010-11 – and now they’re sitting in mid-table in the Championship. Today’s clash does, though, offer the chance of a third win on the spin.
And Draper (below) believes some derby day joy could be a springboard to better days ahead under the management of Dean Smith and his assistant John Terry.
Marker
“This is the perfect chance to lay down a marker,” said Draper. “It’s going to take some time under a new manager.
“Dean needs time to look at the squad and decide what he needs to do and who he needs to bring in after Christmas.
“The manager is a good fit – he knows that division inside out and knows what’s needed at that level.
“It’s a big game for him and for everyone involved in the club.
“Having John Terry in the dressing room will be massive.
“Anyone with his experience, know-how and success is vital when it comes to a match like this. It’s a huge stage for these players to show what they’re capable of.
“A win in a derby is the kind of thing that can have a massive impact on a season.”
Smith has won three of his first five matches since taking over from Steve Bruce back in October.
Garry Monk’s Birmingham are also on a good run, winning four of their last six matches.
Draper played alongside Monk during a spell on the south coast and said: “I was at Southampton when Garry was a youngster and he looks like he’s doing a great job now over at St Andrew’s.”