Source: Team_Talk
Reo-Coker relishing derby clash
Reo-Coker was part of the Villa side which triumphed 2-1 at St Andrews and 5-1 at Villa Park when the two sides last clashed two seasons ago.
The former England Under-21 captain featured in many derbies during his days as a West Ham player but is aware of the intense rivalry that exists between Villa and Blues.
Reo-Coker said: "You play in so many different derbies in London with the number of clubs in the Premier League - but this is the main one here.
"You have only got to listen to and chat to a few Villa fans to understand how passionate they are about this game and how important this game is to them, what it means to them.
"To them, this is like winning the World Cup and I understand that and I was fortunate enough to play in the last two derbies.
"It was a great experience. You can't really put it into words and the adrenalin buzz lasts throughout the entire 90 minutes.
"It's fantastic, the atmosphere overtakes the whole situation and you really get into the game. I was fortunate to play in them two years ago and the atmosphere is tremendous.
"The thing with derby matches is you will either get a very good one or you'll end up with an average derby game. We're going to make sure it's a very good one."
Reo-Coker believes Villa should be bubbling with confidence after triumphing 3-1 against Liverpool at Anfield and then 2-0 over visiting Fulham after reverting from a 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1 formation.
He said: "We look solid with the 4-5-1 formation and we're really working for each other and creating chances. It's not a defensively-minded 4-5-1, it's an attack-minded 4-5-1.
"We've got great youthful energy and the confidence should be up after two very good performances against Liverpool and Fulham.
"We should be in a very positive frame of mind and looking forward to it."
Villa manager Martin O'Neill has no new injury problems with Emile Heskey expected to have recovered from the tight hamstring suffered on England duty in the World Cup qualifier against Croatia.
New signings, defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins, could both make their debuts after making the switch from Manchester City and West Ham respectively.
