Birmingham Mail

Goals Will Come, Says Larsson

CRISIS? What crisis? Blues may be struggling to find the back of the net at the moment but you won't find Seb Larsson fretting about the issue. Alex McLeish's men have scored just two goals in five Premier League games this season.

Milner in Plea for Patience

JAMES Milner has challenged the claret and blue faithful to show the same kind of patience and passion at Villa Park as they did at St Andrew's. Milner believes the Second City success was just reward for fans who parted with hard-earned cash to cheer Villa to another derby day win.

The Albion Production Line Starting [ ... ]

Nicky Made Right Choice

VILLA skipper Stiliyan Petrov has revealed his delight that team- mate Nicky Shorey did not make the move to this afternoon's opponents Portsmouth on the last day of the summer transfer window. And he insisted: "We would rather play with him than against him."

Petrov Salutes Battler Davies

STILIYAN Petrov has praised injured defender Curtis Davies for his "huge sacrifice" for the team after he played through the pain barrier to keep Villa afloat until additional manpower could be drafted in. Davies played the first three games of the season with a dislocated shoulder before finally conceding to surgery and Petrov says that takes a special kind of player.

Arrivals Impress Milner

JAMES Milner believes Villa's rearguard reinforcements Richard Dunne, James Collins and Stephen Warnock are already adding to Martin O'Neill's winning formula. Milner believes O'Neill's decision to blood the new defensive trio together in the Second City derby was vindicated by the clean sheet and 1-0 victory over Blues.

I Was Too Keen, Says Dann After Setback

SCOTT Dann has admitted that his determination to impress as the new kid on the block backfired. Dann, the pounds 3.5 million capture from Coventry City, linked up with Blues having had a minor knee operation in the summer.

Tainio's a Smart Signing - Eck

INTELLIGENT footballers? Teemu Tainio's one, according to Alex McLeish. He has tried to sign the on-loan Sunderland midfielder twice before, for Rangers and Blues.

Blues Could Be On China Map

ALEX McLeish has welcomed Carson Yeung's desire to help Chinese football help itself through Blues' expertise. The prospective new owner plans to boost the game in the People's Republic by tapping into the club's existing 'professionalism, methods and concepts'.

Albion Score From All Over the Pitch

YOU could never accuse Albion of relying on one player this season. The opening nine games of the campaign has seen the goals spread across the team, with 12 different players scoring during the campaign, including own goals.

Academy Pool Is Ready to Roll

THERE was a time when Albion's youth system was the envy of many. Ally Robertson, Bobby Hope, Bryan Robson, Derek Statham and many more were part of a production line of talented players coming through at the Hawthorns during the 1960s and earlyto-mid 70s.

Jono: My Toughest Decision

JONATHAN Greening admits the lure of the Europa League and Albion's relegation forced him to call time on his Hawthorns career and move to Fulham. The 30-year-old left the club last month, signing a loan- topermanent deal with the Londoners, which will end up netting Albion in the region of pounds 4.5 million.

Henry: Duo Will Recover

KARL Henry has tipped Wolves centre-back pairing of Christophe Berra and Michael Mancienne to recover from their mauling at Blackburn. The duo were back together for the first time this season at Ewood Park with Jody Craddock sidelined.

Hill: We Have to Learn Fast

WOLVES defender Matt Hill says the Premier League is "an unforgiving place" and has warned his team-mates they must quickly get to grips with the top flight. Hill, the club's third-choice left-back behind Stephen Ward and George Elokobi, was a rare shining light at Blackburn last weekend on his first start since April.

Molineux Staff Aren't Camera Shy

GEORGE Orwell saw it coming in his classic novel 1984 and now Wolves players had better beware - Big Brother is watching them! Mick McCarthy's men have upped the use of their computer technology and there will not be a blade of Molineux grass that isn't covered by a spy camera.

Clayton Shows Premier Class

EXPERIENCED Walsall defender Jamie Vincent has earmarked Clayton McDonald as a potential Premier League star of the future. The 20-year-old has shown immense promise in his brief time while on loan from Manchester City.

Strikers Are Still Learning - Hutchings

CHRIS Hutchings insists that experienced strike pair Darren Byfield and Sam Parkin are still learning their trade - even if they have 60 years and 21 different clubs behind them. Byfield, 32, and 28-yearold Parkin have experienced a nomadic existence at the lower end of the footballing world after starting off life at the very top at Villa and Chelsea.

Hutch Asks for Patience

CHRIS Hutchings has appealed for time to turn Walsall into a force to be reckoned with in League One. The Saddlers lie 10th in the division, just a win off the play- off places, after their fine victory at Tranmere.

Loan Deal for Simon Russell at Tamworth

TAMWORTH manager Gary Mills has signed York City's livewire midfield man Simon Russell on a month's loan. Russell looks set to make his debut against Salisbury City today after training with Tamworth this week and Mills said: "Simon's my type of player. He's someone I've always liked.

Reds Recruit Ex-Blues Man

REDDITCH United have recruited former Blues and Cheltenham Town defender Jerry Gill. The 39-year-old should feature at fullback for Reds today against Workington Town.