Can We Beat Villa?

The magic of the cup is a common phrase used in this country to express the fact that the minnows can beat any Goliath in cup competitions. But it also shows how there is something special about a cup.

To win a cup as we did in 2011 after overcoming Arsenal in a very triumphant way was certainly magic and it showed just how joyous a victory in the cup can be. To win silverware is the pinnacle of all football clubs but a league title despite being a good display of a yearly campaign, doesn’t have the same delight factor as winning a cup does, in my opinion.

A favourable cup tie is what most clubs want. A team that isn’t a lot lower in the leagues as these tend to come out all guns blazing and are stiff competition. But a team that has a better financial structure in place can just overpower smaller teams. Usually I like opponents from a similar league, maybe one below, who we have a chance of beating and have an extended cup run.

Usually, I don’t want a premier league team such as when Swansea ended our cup run last year as the games are often controlled by the other team and often we don’t get our reward. This also happened against West Brom.

But the magic of the cup is certainly captured against a local rival and who better to have it against than Aston Villa. Having not had a derby in 4 years, I think that the fans are more up for this than ever. We have fantastic support anyway but this away day will be like no other for the lucky few who get tickets to cross town.

However, a defeat against your local rivals will make you the laughing stock of the town and will allow the Villains to mention this at any given opportunity! So my question is, do you think we can actually win?

Villa look a lot better this year than the side so close to relegation last year. They have started the league looking like a Premier League side but that counts for nothing in the cup. The reaction of the Birmingham players particularly expressed on Twitter shows that they are willing to put the fans passion onto the pitch.

We have players such as Gray, Brown and Arthur who have grown up knowing what it means to play Villa and I’m sure that they will convey this to the dressing room. We also have the secret weapon of Rowett who will be sure to rekindle his passion for the Blue side to claim victory!

I believe we have a strong side now. The signings of Toral and Big Tom in goal have certainly been impressing in recent weeks which is a delight to see the team clicking. We also have the work rate of Donaldson which is unusual for a striker and therefore may catch the opponents off guard; another secret weapon.

I have every faith that the players will turn up on the day and be ready for this. And due to the pure passion and closing down, I think that Birmingham City will win. Yes, I have just touched a bit of wood so that I don’t jinx it but I have complete faith that we have that extra competitive edge to be a pain in Villa’s side.

Also, my final prediction is that if Davis plays, he will get sent off… And also Robbo… Thank me later if you bet on it as you’ll be rolling in cash!