Ahead of Saturday's tea-time derby at The Hawthorns, David Michael of My Old Man Said gives us his thoughts on the game and Villa's season so far. . .

Thoughts on the first game between the two clubs back in September? Fair result?

Not exactly a classic game, but it was probably a fair result. I mainly remember the game for the drama around Lambert’s out casting of Darren Bent. Obviously he got the equalizer, but it didn’t exactly prove a trigger to much in following games, as Lambert continued to show him where he stood in the Villa striking peaking order (third).

What’s gone wrong this season at Villa Park?

Whilst I like Lambert’s long-term plan of formulating a close-knit young team, that once a few key pieces have been added, will hopefully really challenge in a couple of seasons time, I think he may have been a little too drastic in the percentage of young players he’s tried to bed in straight away. Villa though have been unlucky with injuries to key experienced players in defence like Vlaar and Dunne.

The key problem in my mind has been the oversight of any steel in midfield, that has left the Villa midfield too lightweight. Recently it’s offered zero protection to the frail defence and also left Weimann and Benteke are left to themselves to create their own chances up front.

The current problem is also confidence. Everything seemed to have clicked into place for Lambert with some dazzling attacking play away at Norwich (4-1) and Anfield (3-1), but a week later came our Christmas nightmare, which we’re still reeling from if the truth be told.

Can you avoid relegation?

I’ve always thought January was the key month. We had key games against Newcastle and the Saints and then the cups. If Villa can snatch a win against you guys, then, the Saints loss will be made up for. If they can overturn the Bradford City result, the prospect of Wembley will lift the young player’s spirits no end.

But a defeat at the Hawthorns and then if Bradford do the dirty and knock us out, the relegation bells will be ringing loud. So it’s a very key week.

I think that apart from a top bunch of teams, this league isn’t all that, so if Lambert can sort his team out and string a few wins together, the picture will change swiftly. But the last 30 games or so has been relegation form by Villa.

What’s the general feeling about Paul Lambert at the moment amongst Villa fans?

Some are turning against him, but you can’t blame them, as after two poor seasons with other managers patience was low and we’re still a bit shell-shocked from the Christmas period beatings. On the whole, supporters do trust in Lambert, although it’s starting to be because the alternative of him not doing well is relegation.

Similarly, what’s the current mood like towards Randy Lerner?

Well, Randy is taking the brunt of the criticism, although he’s not the most public of figures. It’s all about him not spending enough. The money he gave Lambert in terms of signing on fees, matched the season’s average spend for O’Neil. Obviously, though he’s kept the wage bill down on his purchases compared to O’Neil. I do think Lerner should front up with some decent midfield to give the place a lift and prove to the fans he still has ambition.

What do you need during the transfer window and are you likely to get it?

We need, what we’ve needed for a good few seasons, and that’s a midfielder who can drive the team forward and is also a physical presence and can tackle. Even a solid DM would do. Also at the moment, we need an experienced centre back, although we could get by with Dunne, if he stays fit. Villa possibly have the best striker quartet they’ve had in years. Unfortunately, the rest of the team doesn’t provide it with a foundation to truly excel. Getting in players in the aforementioned positions would be a big help with that.

When we asked earlier in the season who had been your best player you said Christian Benteke, does that still apply?

Yes. At the time we last spoke, he’d hardly done anything. It was more about his potential. Since, he’s become twice the player we thought we had. Seeing him in the Norwich cup game that Villa won 4-1 and then his virtuoso display that destroyed Liverpool, we know we have a player who will always give us a chance against anyone. Recent misses have cost us points and he could have won the 1st leg against Bradford in the first half-an-hour. Yet, he’s got points out of nothing with his goals. If the overall team improves, Benteke will get more chances and only get better.

The one bright spot of Villa’s season has been the Capital One Cup run. How confident are you of overturning Bradford’s first leg lead?

Villa have been a totally different team in that competition - we’ve scored plenty of goals and been able to beat anybody (even the league champions away).

To be fair, if Villa took their chances in the first 20 minutes, this tie could have been over now. People talk about pulling the Tranmere Rovers semi in 1994 around after being 3-1 down. I was there and it was an incredible game, but that was a top Villa team.

Bradford, backed by 6,500 vocal supporters at Villa Park will be a threat. Villa will need to score the first goal and early to get a sizeable Villa Park crowd rocking and behind them. I think we’ll do it.

Both teams in Birmingham are having a bit of a ‘mare’ this season, do you take pleasure in watching events at Blues or would you rather be facing them in the Premier League?

Personally, I’m never bothered about the Blues. Concentrating on the Blues provides a comfort zone for Villans with little expectations for their club. By focusing on the Baggies a little more, it might help wake us from our slumber. Personally, I know a lot more West Brom fans, so in terms of banter, that’s always been more fun anyway. I think Villa and West Brom could do with a big game – a big cup game or something – to spark it up as a real modern day rivalry.

Finally, prediction and thoughts on Saturday’s game?

I’m not on the wind up here, but I think something will happen and Villa will actually snatch this game. Vlaar returning for the first time will be a big boost. Villa have been creating chances and with a bit more composure will start putting them away. Can we shut up shop at the other end is the main concern though. 2-1 Villa.

David Michael @ www.myoldmansaid.com