Villa boss with warning for Blues
Villa boss Martin O'Neill has warned local rivals Birmingham their "exceptional" run of form will only spur his club on to stay the Second City top dogs.
Blues will kick off against Everton today in seventh position, just five points adrift of fourth-placed Villa, after an eight-game Premier League unbeaten run which has included five wins from their last five matches.
O'Neill has risked the wrath of the claret and blue faithful by welcoming newly-promoted Blues' fine form - but the Villa manager reckons the extra pressure it will put on his team to remain the city's No. 1 team will prompt them to raise the bar.
"Birmingham City's run has been really exceptional," he said. "Great credit must go to Alex McLeish and his staff - it is a really great effort and well done them. Five straight wins in the Premier League is absolutely remarkable.
"While it might not please every single Aston Villa fan, it's positive news for the city that Birmingham are doing remarkably well.
"Can it spur us on? I think that is exactly right. That's the sort of rivalry that can only help us."
The city of Birmingham is certainly enjoying a positive end to the year with its two teams flying high in the top flight as well as confirmation this week that it made the shortlist of cities for England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.
He added: "I am really delighted with the Birmingham bid and to hear we've been included. I think chairman Randy Lerner is hoping to improve Villa Park even more still.
"Hopefully the country will be successful with the 2018 bid because it would be fantastic to host a World Cup."
