McAllister tells Villa, it's time to live up to our status

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Aston Villa's caretaker manager, Gary McAllister, has challenged his players to assert themselves as the biggest club in the west Midlands ahead of a weekend of derbies in the area.

Villa play at West Bromwich Albion this afternoon, with Birmingham hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow. The games will assume greater significance than usual, with all four teams struggling in the bottom half of the table.

While West Brom, Birmingham and Wolves have all played Championship football within the last three seasons, Villa have been in the top flight since 1988. Their flirting with the relegation zone this year has therefore been at odds with their recent performances, especially given three consecutive sixth-place finishes under Martin O'Neill.

McAllister is eager that his players live up to their status with a strong finish to the season. "I'm not being disrespectful to the Midlands clubs but people look at Villa and they are the biggest Midlands club," he said. "That's a fact. There is a big support, a wonderful stadium, wonderful training facilities here." Villa, in 13th position, are probably safe, while their hosts West Brom are six points clear of the relegation zone. The West Brom captain Chris Brunt is unlikely to play due to a hamstring strain and Steven Reid and Jerome Thomas are out.

The game at St Andrew's tomorrow is even more important in the relegation battle. Birmingham, four points above the bottom three, may be one win away from certain survival but Wolves are in second-bottom position, following their 3-0 loss at Stoke City in midweek. "We're not in a good position but we're in good shape as a team and confident we can still do it," said Wolves manager Mick McCarthy. Ben Foster should be fit for the hosts.