Stephen Carr

Stephen Carr says that with Villa needing a win to stay in the running for a Champions League spot, the pressure will be on Martin O'Neill's side in Sunday's derby game at Villa Park.

"For us it's a great game, one we look forward to," Carr told the Birmingham Mail ahead of his first second city derby.

"In derby games there's always a great atmosphere.

"It's even better we are going there safe. I'm sure a few of the fans would probably be dreading it if we had been going there needing a result.

"It's happened before. It's not nice. Luckily we are in a better position than those games before, more comfortable.

"And they are fighting for a Champions League spot, so there's pressure on them. People expect them to the favourites, being at home."

Carr in action for Spurs against Arsenal

Carr has previously participated in the North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal and the north east one between Newcastle and Sunderland and knows that the Birmingham derby is every bit as important to the fans.

"For the two sets of fans involved, it's the biggest derby in the world," he added.

"You should never say that one is better than the other, one is more fierce than the other.

"In derby games the two sets of supporters have the attitude that nothing is better in the country, in the world, and the players respond to that.

"I'm sure it will be fierce and we will look forward to it."