Birmingham City manager Garry Monk is optimistic about his team's chances of ending their dismal recent run against Aston Villa when they face their local rivals on Sunday.
The Blues have failed to win any of the last 14 derbies against Villa.
However, City are in a buoyant frame of mind having surged up the table after starting the season poorly and are 7/4 to beat Villa.
"We're all really looking forward to it," said former Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Leeds United boss Monk. "Everybody knows it's the first game you look for home and away, and this promises to be a special one at a packed St Andrew's.
"But as much as it's about bragging rights and the fans, three points is the most important thing.
"Their (Villa's) remit is to be promoted, ours is slightly different - but none of that matters in this game.
"I've got no doubt we've got the characters that will thrive in the atmosphere. You can never predict derbies because we've all seen so many different ones and things change very quickly in derbies, even during the games."
Mid-table Villa can be backed at 17/10 to beat Birmingham on Sunday.
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Birmingham City manager Garry Monk is optimistic about his team's chances of ending their dismal recent run against Aston Villa when they face their local rivals on Sunday.
The Blues have failed to win any of the last 14 derbies against Villa.
However, City are in a buoyant frame of mind having surged up the table after starting the season poorly and are 7/4 to beat Villa.
"We're all really looking forward to it," said former Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Leeds United boss Monk. "Everybody knows it's the first game you look for home and away, and this promises to be a special one at a packed St Andrew's.
"But as much as it's about bragging rights and the fans, three points is the most important thing.
"Their (Villa's) remit is to be promoted, ours is slightly different - but none of that matters in this game.
"I've got no doubt we've got the characters that will thrive in the atmosphere. You can never predict derbies because we've all seen so many different ones and things change very quickly in derbies, even during the games."
Mid-table Villa can be backed at 17/10 to beat Birmingham on Sunday.
Source: bet365.com