CHESTER OUT TO BEAT NOISY NEIGHBOURS
JAMES Chester hasn’t forgotten the bombardment he and the rest of the Aston Villa players took when they played Birmingham less than four months ago.
The Blues unwisely decided to hand out clappers to fans, to rev up the volume and high-octane atmosphere even more at St Andrew’s for the derby.
Blues fans took the gift off their seats – and pelted the clappers at Villa players.
“I’m not sure the decision to hand out clappers on derby day was the greatest,” says Chester. “I thought the fans might have got fed up after five or ten minutes. But it was still carrying on.
“That’s not a place for throwing things at anyone.”
Villa, who drew at Birmingham 0-0, will have their first full house of the season – and have no plans to follow Blues’ unwise lead.
“In the games I’ve played at Villa Park in front of a full house they have been really special,” says Chester.
“The derby, a full house, the winning run we are on, I’m not sure our fans will need any second invitation to create a really good atmosphere.
“A result in our favour is the most important thing. These derbies are the sort of games you remember.
“They are special to be involved in. I am lucky to have played in some big games and this is certainly one of them.”
Chester has played every minute of Villa’s last 76 Championship games. His central defensive partnership with the vastly experienced John Terry has been one of the key components in the climb to third in the table, pre-weekend.
“Playing in cup finals, going to the Euros, those are the big moments that stick out and stand me in good stead for matchexpected es like this,” added Chester. He scored for Hull in the 2014 FA Cup final they lost to Arsenal and was in the Welsh team that reached the European Championship semifinals two years ago.
“Sometimes when you go to places in Eastern Europe, the atmosphere is a bit more old school to what this country is now. It gets you ready for these derbies,” he says. “The tension in the air is something different on derby day. It’s something I really enjoy.
“It gets quite intense and sometimes that can take away from the actual quality on the pitch. You can get caught up in that, but the team that handles that the best will usually come out on top.”
Manager Steve Bruce, who has been with his family this week dealing with the death of his father and his mother’s illness, is to be back to take charge today. Bruce has kept in touch with his coaching staff despite not being at the training ground. He will pick the team and has to decide if derby-day specialist Gabby Agbonlahor plays. Agbonlahor has scored five times for Villa against Birmingham, three of them winners, including the winning goal at Villa Park last season. But he has played only 310 minutes of football since then because of injuries. “As for Agbonlahor, everyone is fit and available,” said assistant manager Colin Calderwood. “Agbonlahor’s record will certainly be in the manager’s thoughts. “He is a local boy with a terrific record in the derby games.” Agbonlahor, 31, will be keen for a place on the bench, at least, as his contract is up at the end of the season and it could be his last Second City derby after 13 years at the club he supported as a boy.