Olof Mellberg admits he hopes former Villa team-mate Liam Ridgewell leaves St Andrew’s an unhappy man tomorrow.

Ridgewell is one of the hottest topics in the build-up to the Second City derby after his £2m summer switch across the Second City from Villa to Birmingham.

The 23-year-old defender is sure of a cool reception from Villa fans, but he has used the move to his best possible advantage by being an ever-present and taking the captaincy.

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“I haven’t spoke to Liam much since he left, but hopefully he won’t be too happy this weekend,” said Mellberg.

“It definitely looks like it’s been a good move for him. He’s captain and I think he’s played every game for them after only playing on and off here.

“You’re looking to play regularly at that age, so it was good for him to move to get more games.

“I hope he gets a good reception from the Villa fans because he came through the ranks here and played quite a few games.

“He’s a good lad too, a strong character and that’s how he played when he was here.”

Meanwhile, Mellberg warned Ridgewell not to lose his renowned aggression – even though he accepts it could cost Villa tomorrow.

With Martin Laursen injured, the pair regularly lined up as central defensive partners during Ridgewell’s three years-plus in the first team squad.

“When I played alongside Liam I thought he did really, really well,” said Mellberg. “He has a very good attitude – he’s the same in training – and that aggression is part of his game, which is very important.

“Liam is very aggressive and a difficult centre-half to play against. He wins a lot of tackles and he’s good in the air. He’s only 23 and he has a lot to learn and still can build up a lot more physically, but I think he has a big future.”

And Mellberg has backed his old team-mate to handle any abuse he receives from Villa fans tomorrow.

“It would be a shame if Liam receives any abuse because he did well for Villa while he was here and perhaps felt he needed to move to play regularly in the team,” he said.

Mellberg believes Laursen has replaced Ridgewell as one of Villa’s main setpiece threats, with his strike against Derby last week his third of the season.

But he’s looking to get in on the act himself after failing to net since the opening day of last season.

“I haven’t scored since that goal at the Emirates Stadium, so I’m overdue one and hopefully it will come for me soon,” he added.