Troy Deeney points out difference between Aston Villa and Birmingham City atmospheres

Troy Deeney has ranked St Andrew’s as the most intimidating ground to visit as an opposition player.

The former Birmingham City captain put the club’s home in B9 at the top of his list – ahead of Villa Park, Carrow Road, the London Stadium and The Den.

Given Deeney’s allegiance to Blues, whom he supported in his youth, you would expect Villa Park to provide a more intimidating atmosphere. But Deeney has explained the difference between the two.

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Ranking Villa Park fifth, Deeney told TalkSPORT: “Aston Villa was intimidating because there was an expected kind of pressure of being from Birmingham, a Birmingham City fan, where it was them vs me.”

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Deeney enjoyed a great record against Villa during his playing career, scoring six times in five games against them and winning on four occasions. “They beat me once and that’s the only one you’ll ever hear about – but I scored in that one too,” Deeney added.

The former Watford striker didn’t fare so well against Blues with four goals in seven matches. One game at St Andrew’s sticks in his mind.

Putting Blues top of the hostility list, Deeney explained: “This last one is a different type of intimidation because I’m a fan, I’m from the area and all my mates are there.

“I had mates from my own area slagging me off and throwing stuff at me because at that time I was playing against the Blues! I remember we played them and we beat them 3-0 or 4-0 and I scored two – one at the Blues’ home end and as the corner came in I looked in the stand and thought, ‘this is great, I’m playing at the Blues’ – it was the first time I’d played there – and I’ve caught eyes with one of the lads from school.

“I’ve gone to say, ‘you alright’ and he was like, ‘**** off’ – I was like, 'mate, after this we’re going to get a beer together, what’s happening?!'

“It was intimidating for that reason because I had to win. I couldn’t lose because doing so and going to the boozer in the area wouldn’t have been nice.”