Jonas Olsson hoping Joleon Lescott has a derby to forget

Jonas Olsson has backed Joleon Lescott to shine for Villa – but hopes his former Albion team-mate has an off-day in this Saturday's derby.

Lescott is poised to line up against the Baggies less than three weeks after making a £2million deadline-day switch to their Midlands rivals.

The 33-year-old spent just a year at The Hawthorns after joining from Manchester City on a free transfer, winning the supporters' club player of the season award.

Olsson believes his fellow veteran centre-back has plenty left to offer but hopes his Villa career does not take off until after the derby meeting.

"You have friends in the team and they play for a rival team the next day – it is nothing new, that is football," said the Swedish international. "It will be good to see him (Lescott). He will have a great few years at Villa because he is a still a very good player and a good professional.

"Hopefully he won't have too good a game on Saturday. He is a nice guy and did really well for us. I wish him all the best there. I'm sure he will do very well for them."

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Olsson has meanwhile vowed to fight for his place after being left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southampton in favour of new signing Jonny Evans.

He said: "You're always disappointed when you're not playing. I think I've been doing quite well since the gaffer came in really, getting a lot of minutes and playing a lot of games. I thought Jonny did really well. He's a big signing and I've no problem with competition.

"You just have to stay professional and you know you're going to get your chance again. It's a long season, there's a lot of games.

"You've got to train well and be ready when called upon. But you're always disappointed when you don't start. If you don't feel that, then your motivation or approach to the game isn't right.

"You have to accept it, but you can still be disappointed."