Birmingham City manager Garry Monk heads into the Second City derby knowing that Villa are in good form, on the back of their 4-0 win over Derby County, a match that marked the return of Villa star-man Jack Grealish, who got on the goal-sheet with a stunning strike just before half-time.

Monk though has gone out of his way to confirm that he will not set his players up to specifically target Grealish, who was upended just a few seconds into the derby match at Villa Park earlier this season.

So what can be read into Monk's comments?

We discuss.....

Gary Hutchinson

“Some managers like to play their own game and let the opposition worry about their approach.

“Is this what Monk’s doing?

“I don’t think so. He’ll be aware of the threat Grealish poses, but target him and you risk leaving someone else exposed.”

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Jay Taylor

“It’s all mind games.

“Monk will know Grealish is Villa’s biggest threat, but it is also caused by others paying too much attention to him and leaving others free.

“Grealish will be targeted, to an extent, but it’s the players off of him that Birmingham need to be wary of, too.”

Sam Rourke

"I see it as Monk being honest.

"It would be foolish to pinpoint all your focus on one particular opposition player ahead of a match, Villa have a plethora of dangerous players on the pitch so Monk will be wary of them all.

"Grealish will be a man that they keep tabs on, there is no doubt about that though."