Potter looking to silence old pals

Graham Potter has revealed that a win over Aston Villa today would be of extra significance to the Albion head coach and those around him.

Alex Stedman

2020-01-18T07:00:00Z

Graham Potter speaks to the press ahead of today's game.

Potter was born in Solihull and grew up in the Midlands. He started his career at Birmingham City but admits he does not have a strong affiliation with either of the city’s two big clubs.

He said, “I was one of those strange ones that wasn’t so passionate about a particular team. The first side I began to get interested in was the Aston Villa team that won the European Cup in 1982.

“Two of the team, Ken McNaught and Peter Withe, brought the trophy to my dad’s club - the British Legion in Shirley - and there’s a photo at home of my brother sat in the European Cup. I haven’t sat in it – not yet anyway!

“I was interested in Villa at that time. Then as I got older and played for Birmingham City I had an affinity with them. People from Birmingham would tell you that you can’t support both of those clubs and it has to be one or the other but I was probably like that. All my friends are Villa fans and have been asking for tickets, so they are not my friends this weekend!”

The reverse fixture at Villa Park in October saw Albion slip to a stoppage-time 2-1 defeat, but the Seagulls bounced back with wins over Everton and Norwich City in their next two games and the head coach praised the attitude of his team to secure those home wins.

“The players showed that they could respond to disappointment by winning the next two matches. It was a painful experience in October at Villa Park - the feeling wasn’t pleasant.

“But I have no doubts over the personality and the attitude of the group. They respond to setbacks and they’re a resilient bunch. That has never been a concern for me and that period highlighted that they could react.

“I haven’t mentioned the game at Villa Park in the build-up to this weekend, but the lads don’t need me to remind them of how they felt that day.

“I was actually really proud because I thought we played well - when we had 11 we did really well and then had some good chances even when we were down to ten men.”