Let’s be honest here, when the Premiership fixture list was published, this was the first fixture most City fans would have been looking for. Personally, I’m less interested in this opponent, but I’m nonetheless happy to see them back in the top flight – the six points each year are always welcome!

As is the nature of derby games, form and class can go out the window as the playing field is somewhat levelled by the passion. All the players will be feeling it and a simple mistake could easily settle the tie, as it has in the past.

That’s the downside to this fixture as Birmingham are a side we’d beat every day of the week and twice on Sundays if they were located anywhere else in the country. Fortunately Gabby, in particular, seems to enjoy this game and is also apparently starting to hit some form so I’d back him to bag a goal or two today for certain.

If you can recall the last time we played this game, it was an early own goal from Ridgewell that gave Villa the lead. Forssell tied it up just after the hour and then Gabby scored the winner with minutes left. It was a hugely satisfying win and much deserved, but earned the hard way simply because it was a derby.

This time out I think we have a lot more quality and they really don’t. All things being equal that would mean three points, but we all know it won’t be that simple.

Martin O’Neill will almost certainly be handing Richard Dunne his debut at the back. He’s also said that he wouldn’t be concerned about throwing James Collins in to the mix, but I think his words have been misunderstood by some commentators. Because he said he could give Collins his debut doesn’t mean he will. Let’s face it, Cuellar has looked great so far this season, there’s no reason to drop him.

Despite appearances, MON has also insisted that Nicky Shorey has a role to play at Villa and since Warnock remained an unused sub against Fulham it will be interesting to whether there will be another debut at left back. Again, I would doubt that the manager would see this as the game to make too many changes, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Please!

There has been some talk of Luke Young being available again at right back. My feeling is that he has zero fitness and with what he’s gone through recently I would suggest that the Sty is not the place to throw him back in. It would almost literally be like throwing him to the lions and wouldn’t help him or the team. Beye to start at right bank I think.

A five man midfield seems like a no-brainer to me – Petrov, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Young and Milner anyone?

Up front, either Gabby or Carew to start, not too worried either way as they both offer their own sets of pros and cons. MON’s recently challenged Heskey to prove his worth, but I’m not sure I see it in this fixture. He’s a doubt at the moment so may be solving any selection headaches MON might have.

There’s really little more to say about this game. It’s difficult to believe that this will be the first game in September and this is potentially a month of some very available points. It’s vitally important that we head into the month in the right way and, of course, it’s the blousers… we have to beat them!!