Villa blogger Dave Bytheway will make the away trip as a home fan this weekend but doesn’t dare predict how his hometown will fare in Aston on derby day.

It’s the game I thought would never come around, the match I have been dreading since Wolves achieved promotion to the Premier League.

On Saturday we welcome our near neighbours to Villa Park and what an occasion it promises to be. With all respect to our visitors, the agenda for both sides is at completely different ends of the scale, but that doesn’t mean for one minute that the outcome will be affected by it.

As a local to Wolverhampton, I probaly know more about the current Wolves squad than most Villa fans, and that’s the reason I am more excited than the majority about this weekend’s lunchtime kick off.

They are a team on a mission, a team on the up with something to prove. They went to Burnley last weekend on the back of a bad run, and came out worthy winners to help the apparent case to avoid relegation.

For all Wolves fans reading this Villa blog in readiness for the game, you will not be leaving this division in the foreseeable future. You have a young, hungry squad who has what is needed to stay here. Plus there are also some very poor teams down there in the form of Hull, Wigan, Burnley and Portsmouth.

Back with my claret and blue blinkers on, I feel we are on a high. We have players just reaching seasonal peaks, unlike last term where burnout in March was apparent.

Notable players such as James Milner, Gabby Agbonlahor, Stewart Downing, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey are doing everything they can to be present on the plane to South Africa this summer, and they are dong it well.

Milner has been our shining light this term since moving inside to central midfield, creating chances with his flair and relieving pressure wth his workrate and ability to keep control of possession.

Matched team for team on paper ours is stronger and, with Martin O’Neill in charge, there should be no doubting the commitment of Villa, but Wolves are coming with a lot to gain and not really much to lose.

I’m particularly impressed with their midfield. David Jones, David Edwards if fit and Matt Jarvis are all players who can cause problems.

But I do feel we heavily outweigh them in terms of attack against defence. With Gabby, John Carew and Heskey up top, combining with Milner I feel we will have a lot for their back line to cope with.

It will be a great derby game and, for once, I am going to struggle to make a prediction. I will leave that up to the players on the day, and let’s just hope I can write my blog for this Wolverhampton newpaper with my head held high in future!

For all fans travelling to the game, have a great day.

Villa versus Wolves is one of the oldest derbies, one that comes without the hassle and trouble that is associated with most.

And, of course, I will be back in Wolverhampton after the game if anybody wants to buy me a beer.

Enjoy the weekend. Up the Villa!