Gardner To Play Without Fear

Speaking on the official site, Craig Gardner has said the key to derby success is for them to play without Fear. So that sorts that JF, you're being left at Bodymoor Heath again.

Gardner also explained that the players were well aware of the importance of local derbies for the Villa faithful, and they are determined to grab the bragging rights again.

'The key is to play without fear. Derby games can get very scrappy very quickly and it can be difficult to play football.

'But we need to be confident in our own ability and go out and do what we've been doing all season.

'The gaffer will install that belief into us. We'll go into the game with bags of confidence after our recent results and he'll have prepared us right.

'You know when we walk over that white line we'll be ready.

'With Blues having been relegated, the Baggies derby now takes on more importance for Villa fans.

'They are the ones who would have to go to work the next day thinking 'We've been done by the Albion' if we don't get the right result. It's not a nice feeling.

'I remember when I was at school, there was plenty of banter among Villa, Albion and Blues supporters.

'It's great to be playing in these derby games now. All the lads are very aware of the importance of the game for the fans. We want supporters to go into work with smiles on their faces the next day.'

It's going to be a cracking match either way, the return of Luke Moore and Scott Carson, and let's not forget the Curtis Davies element aswell.

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