Defender relishing clash with near-neighbours
LIAM Ridgewell insists geography is the only motivation the players need for Sunday’s derby showdown with Villa (ko 4pm).The Baggies defender limped off in the 22nd minute of Wednesday’s 2-1 Capital One Cup defeat by Liverpool due to a calf problem but has not given up hope of facing his former club and maintaining his ever-present Barclays Premier League record this term.
And, with only three-and-a-half miles between The Hawthorns and Villa Park, Ridgewell knows just how important the bragging rights are to the fans.
“It is a special game personally,” he said.
“You are playing Villa, a big club, who have been around a long time, and we are looking to try and get a good result.
“The rivalry has always been there for everyone, I know, I've got Albion, Blues and Villa mates.
“It is a big game everyone wants to do well in.
“They are just down the road. That's the main thing about it, like Liverpool-Everton.
“We will go there with good confidence and show how good we are.
“We wanted to finish as high as possible last season and I'm sure for the fans it was nice to finish above Villa.
“But we are just taking it as another game against Villa - we want to win and do well against them.”