Savage tips Villa to beat Blues

Birmingham old boy Robbie Savage has tipped Villa to win the big Second City derby on Sunday.

Savage's popularity among Blues fans is already low after he deserted the club for Blackburn, despite being a thorn in Villa's side throughout his career.

Now the Derby County midfielder has further irritated the St Andrew's faithful by writing off his old side at Villa Park.

He said: "It doesn't matter what league either team is in for this game – Villa could be top of the league and Blues could be in League Two – it wouldn't matter because of the passion.

"I was unbeaten in 14 games against Villa for teams in my career. I loved playing for Blues but I just think Villa will win. I don't think I'm loved any more by the Blues fans – they hate me now.

"I still think Villa are the biggest club in the Midlands but Blues are catching up. If they can finish in the top 10 this season it will be a really good achievement.

"Alex McLeish has done a great job and the gap is definitely closing, but I still think they've got a way to go to catch Villa."

Savage believes Blues lack a Christophe Dugarry type figure.

He said: "I was very fortunate to play with Christophe and Mikael Forssell who scored some goals for us. We had such a good team spirit in those seasons and a great manager.

"But the Birmingham derby is unbelievable – my book is coming out in September and I said in there that the first one when we beat Villa 3-0 was the best game I ever played in.