Doherty Excited Ahead Of Local Derby

Both sides head into the game, which is live on Sky Sports, on the back of 3-0 wins as Villa beat Sunderland on Tuesday evening, while Wolves comprehensively beat Leeds United.

Doherty is no stranger to local derbies for Wolves and he was, of course, involved during the 2-0 win for Wolves in the reverse fixture at Molineux back in October.

The 27 year old defender admits that it is a huge game for both side but reveals that there will be no nerves within the Wolves dressing room.

He said, “Some of the lads have been saying that this could be one of the biggest games we’ve played in, in terms of what’s at stake either way. 

“Everybody can’t wait for it, I can’t wait for Saturday.

“I don’t think any of us have been that nervous at any point this season, it’s just pure excitement. 

“I can’t wait to be in the tunnel ready to walk out. Get the warm ups done and then we’re ready to go - it’s going to be a good game. 

“Speaking for myself, the atmosphere won’t affect me that much and I don’t think it will affect any of the players. 

“They’ve all played in big atmospheres, it’s obviously going to be enjoyable but it wouldn’t affect us in a negative way. 

“If anything, it might affect them a bit more being at home - the crowd might get on to them if things aren’t going their way. That’s what we plan to do! 

“Any time you go to Villa park, even last season when we played there, it’s a huge game. 

“Considering that they’re a team below us in the league, I know that there’s still a big gap of ten points, but it would give them a lot of confidence if they could turn us over. 

“With the gap only at seven, they would think that they would still be able to catch us but that’s where it’s really important for us. 

“If we win the game, I would say that it’s a bit too far for them to get us so that’s why it’s a huge game.”

Following the defeat to Fulham in Wolves’ previous game, Doherty expressed the importance of Wednesday’s win at Leeds.

He says that he was never worried by Wolves’ form and he believes that the midweek win put a statement out to the rest of the league.

“Obviously a lot of people were talking saying that we were in a bit of bad form but losing two in twenty isn’t really that bad at all in my opinion,” Doherty continued. 

“It was important, with the other teams playing the day before, that we won and that we put out of a bit of a statement with our performance and I thought we did. 

“Because we were so far ahead, people want to see us closer to the pack, they want to see more excitement. The performance on Wednesday was a really positive one.

“Anything off the field doesn’t affect us in a bad way at all, if anything it will make us want to perform even more. 

“We’re not asking what’s going on or speaking to each other - we just think about playing but it will bring us together and it will make us want to beat them even more.”