Aston Villa Aren't the Top Dogs in Midlands Says West Brom's Craig Gardner

Craig Gardner has dismissed Aston Villa as Midlands top dogs and insists West Brom are fed up of being overlooked.

Ahead of Saturday's derby clash at The Hawthorns, the midfielder believes the Baggies can topple their rivals.

Gardner made 80 appearances for Villa after coming through their academy before joining bitter rivals Birmingham in 2010.

He moved to Sunderland a year later but joined the Baggies on a free transfer this summer.

Villa are traditionally seen as bigger than the Baggies, who finished above them in 2012-13, but Gardner has rejected that suggestion.

"I'd disagree. I don't think they are one of the main clubs in the Midlands," he said.

"What's wrong with West Brom? We have been in the Premier League five, six years on the bounce.

"We are an established Premier League side with massive players playing for us.

"Does having a bigger stadium and winning a couple of things make you a bigger club?

"I've played for Villa and I'm not having a dig at them.

"They are a top club but so are West Brom. I think it's going to be a great game on Saturday.

"The way our mindset is we are in a place where we know we have to win.

"When there are 11 players on it like that, knowing we cannot hide, that is good.

"You can say Villa are the bigger club but it is West Brom that are used to being up there more recently.

"That's where the fans have been getting a little bit frustrated.

"But we will put it right, we are close to that."

Albion have not beaten Villa in their last five games, stretching back to 2011, despite the Claret and Blues' recent struggles.

Villa are 11th in the Barclays Premier League after back-to-back wins – following nine games without victory – and Gardner is ready to end their mini revival.

"It has (been a rollercoaster for them) but that is the Premier League," he said.

"They are a good club, a dangerous team to play against with pace up front in Gabby (Agbonlahor) and (Christian) Benteke.

"They have very good players but so do we. It all comes down to who wants it the most.

"And I guarantee they won't want it more than us."

Chris Brunt is sidelined with a hamstring injury for the Baggies while Jonas Olsson continues his recovery from Achilles surgery.

A win would lift some of the pressure off head coach Alan Irvine after just one victory in their last nine league games left Albion a point above the bottom three.

But Gardner insisted, despite their form, the Baggies are lucky to have Irvine.

"From day one, you can look back on things I have to say about him – you can't judge him until you are actually on the training pitch with him," said the 28-year-old.

"His attention to detail is unbelievable. He knows everything about everybody. He is a top-class person.

"You can be the first one in and the last one out and do nothing.

"Alan is the first one in and the last one out but every single minute of the day is football, football, football.

"It is very rare you get someone like that and we are very fortunate to have him."