Source: Team_Talk
Dunne: Desire key to derby success
Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne believes the team "who wants it most" will triumph in Sunday's derby with Birmingham at Villa Park.[LNB] Dunne made his Villa debut in the clash between the two rivals at St Andrew's last season along with James Collins and Stephen Warnock.[LNB]Villa won that encounter 1-0 and the return meeting by the same scoreline as Birmingham tempers frayed over after losing to a controversial penalty.[LNB]Stephen Carr was given a one-game ban for gestures towards Villa fans while Roger Johnson was fined £5,000 for criticising the match officials.[LNB]Dunne, who played in many Manchester derbies when with City, knows what is stake in the noon battle.[LNB]The Republic of Ireland defender said: "Derbies are always the same. They are high-intensity games and there always seems to be a lot of pressure in them.[LNB]"There is maybe not a lot of great football but plenty of high intensity and a lot of tackles.[LNB]"I think it's the team who wants it most tends to come out on top. It's not always the quality that shines through.[LNB]"We have to know that that whoever goes out there for us has to match Birmingham's effort and commitment towards the game."[LNB]Dunne relished helping Villa to defeat their rivals on his debut and has been a rock-solid performer since making the £6million switch from Eastlands 15 months ago.[LNB]He said: "Being away in a derby is a really good place to make your debut. There was three of us on the day and the result went for us.[LNB]"The atmosphere in the ground was really good and, likewise, when we played back at Villa Park the atmosphere was brilliant.[LNB]"I think that's what the lads will be looking forward to the most on Sunday.[LNB]"It's a really big game for both clubs and I think we would both prefer to be higher up the league than we are.[LNB]"The three points are very important for both of us."[LNB]Dunne is aware Villa need to regain the winning habit after coming out on top in only one of their last six league matches.[LNB]He said: "We have probably not scored the goals we have deserved to score in some of the games.[LNB]"We have played some good football at times but at the end of the season we've got to have the points on the board.[LNB]"We can't look back and say 'we were unlucky'. We have got to turn it around and make sure, if we are not winning games, we are not losing them."[LNB]Villa will be looking to register a seventh successive victory against Birmingham.[LNB]Right-back Luke Young is in contention after missing three games with a hamstring injury.[LNB]It is a timely return as his replacement, Habib Beye, is doubtful with an ankle injury.[LNB]Warnock is available after missing the Carling Cup win over Burnley through suspension for incurring five bookings.[LNB]Striker John Carew has recovered from the bout of flu which forced his late withdrawal against the Clarets.[LNB]
