Today's big game on Braggers' League - Wolves tek on the Villa

Following an historic week for their Black Country rivals Albion, who beat the Blues last week to put them on top of the Braggers' League, followed by a victory over Man City in the League Cup on Wednesday evening and then, most amazingly of all stuffing it 'up the Arsenal' 3-2 at the Emirates yesterday, the boys in gold and black will surely be after a scalp of their own this afternoon when they take on Premiership big boys, the famous Aston Villa.

The last time Wolves and Villa clashed was at Villa Park in March when Wolves deservedly stole a point having come from behind after John Carew's opener, with goals from Jody Craddock and an own goal from James Milner. John Carew saved the blushes of Villa fans with an equaliser 8 minutes from time.

The earlier derby of the season at Molineux also proved a tight one, with late goals from Agbonlahor for Villa and a penalty by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Wolves boss Mick McMarthy is anticipating another tight derby match but believes that Wolves must avoid playing well while still taking a slap:

"It's a Premier League game but it does make a difference when its a local derby, of course it does, because of the interest that surrounds the game" said Mick. "It is a huge, huge game - having played well in the last two but losing we need to get some points. We know how harsh the Premiership can be, how unforgiving it can be. You can play well in it, you can entertain in it and be the best team in it and still get slapped".

'Pin-up' Mick McCarthy - why would anyone want to slap him? Well apart from Roy Keane.

Meanwhile Gerard Houllier, who has taken a break from playing boules this weekend to come and watch the Villa, is also anticipating a tight game but expects Villa to come away with the bragging rights:

"It will be tough but we will be ready and we will be up for it. I expect they will put everything in it to win it and they must expect we will put everything in it to win as well. It should be a very good game. The players are not necessarily from the area but they know what a derby is because at other clubs they knew what a derby was like and know what the fans are like. Our aim is to make our fans happy and hopefully win the derby. It is more than three points, it is a derby".

Jean-Paul Sartre: "Pah! Ooullier should win it on philosophy alone. Ee is a genius!" 

So, how does Braggley the Psychic Bingo Playing Octopus predict the scores on this one? Will the newly energised Villa take inspiration from their new continental manager and send McCarthy home with another cruel slapping? Or will the big Northern Man hold his nerve and show the prima donnas from Witton Road a bit of Black Country grit?

We caught up with Braggley at his favourite haunt the Amber Tavern on the Hagley Road, which rather aptly sits on the only sharp right turn on the road from Brummagem to Wolver-ampton.

Braggley predicts a tough game but only a 1-1 draw on this one. Goals from Ashley Young and Ebanks-Blake.

As always, good luck to both teams. Don't forget it's free on Sky Sports.

Notts County starlet Lee Hughes, unlikely to be in the hospitality suite at Molineux this afternoon