Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce can’t shake off the management bug ahead of Second City derby

The 56-year-old heads to St Andrew’s for the second time as Villa boss knowing he can expect a hot reception thanks to the six years he spent in charge of the hosts.

Yet despite the extra pressure on his shoulders, Bruce intends to relish every moment as Villa hunt a sixth win in seven games.

He said: “Some question us as to why we do it. Mates constantly ring me and say ‘I don’t know how you do that?’

“I had a lad who came down for the first time in six months to watch the game (against Fulham) last week and he said ‘I don’t know how you can put yourself through that, especially the last five minutes’.

“I said ‘It’s the sickness in us – that’s what we enjoy’.

“The same goes for a big game. That’s why we’re in it really and if we lose sight of that, then we shouldn’t be in it.

“It’s time to hang up your boots or whatever you want to do and say ‘that’s enough of management’.

“It’s a big, huge game that matters to the supporters of both teams.

“So you try to enjoy the occasion, you hope it’s your day, you hope you get the bounce of the ball, and you hope you play well. All of those things are why we’re in it.”

Sunday will be the 10th occasion Bruce has led a team into a Birmingham derby, the first seven being with Blues.

He was in the home dugout when Villa were last beaten at St Andrew’s in a league match, back in February 2005.

“I didn’t realise the real intensity of it (the derby) until I arrived in the city,” said Bruce.

“It means a lot to both sets of supporters, for obvious reasons, and it’s always a great occasion.

“It’s probably never a great football match – derbies rarely are – but in terms of entertainment and what’s at stake, it’s all to play for.

“The atmosphere will be the most important thing to handle – the atmosphere will be red hot, they will make it that way.

“It’s down to who handles that. You make sure you play the game and not the occasion. Yes you’ve got to get yourself revved up for it, of course, but you’ve got to remember to play.

“Let’s hope we can win the game with a flash of individual brilliance.

“On the other hand, mistakes usually cost you in big games too, so they’re the big ingredients for a derby game.

“You’ve got to make sure you play well on the day if you can, and for all the madness around you, keep focused on the game and play it the right way.”

While Bruce is looking forward to Sunday, another familiar protagonist in the rivalry’s recent history seems likely to miss out.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has been Villa’s match-winner against Blues on no fewer than three occasions but Bruce yesterday admitted it would require divine intervention for the striker to recover from a calf injury in time.

Midfield duo Mile Jedinak and Henri Lansbury are both in contention following spells out with injury along with Jack Grealish, who is nearing recovery from kidney damage.

In reality it would be a surprise if Bruce opted to risk any of the trio in what is certain to be a physical game.

“On a big occasion the one thing you can’t do is gamble with fitness,” said Bruce. “I need to put my managerial head on. All of those things I will look at. I think they need to play a bit more before I throw them into a derby game.

“He has not really played for four months. Jack has played twice in four months, Lansbury is still grumbling away.

“Could Gabby make it? I doubt it. Unless he goes to the see the Messiah and walks in raring to go tomorrow.

“But I can’t see Gabby making it. He’s got a bad calf.”