Aston Villa can inspire Birmingham City and Wolves to Premiership safety this season, says former Blues favourite Martin O'Connor.

"A lot has been written about the North East clubs and the troubles at Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle but things are great in the Midlands with Wolves going up as well," O'Connor, Walsall's assistant manager, told the Sunday Mercury. "It's unfortunate that Albion weren't able to stay up there because they played some fantastic football.

"It kills me to say it, but Villa have held the torch for a while so Birmingham City and Wolves will be going up with a point to prove.

''Neither of them want to be seen as a yo-yo club anymore, they've got to stay in the division, one that in my opinion is the best in the world.

''They'll also have expectation because of their fans but it's now great that they can offer those fans Premier League football.

"The fans wouldn't have liked to have seen Villa doing so well and they want to get up there.

''Credit to Villa, they've been a consistent side in the Premier League, they've improved year after year."