New Aston Villa signing James Collins hopes there isn't any repeat of West Ham's Carling Cup controversy for the derby against Birmingham City.

"The Millwall game was a bit of a crazy night," said Collins, who joined West Ham in July 2005. "Hopefully we don't see anything of what we saw that night.

"No-one wants to see that on a pitch and hopefully it is a good game.

"I am passionate about every game but derbies are a little bit spicier and have more about them.

"I realise Birmingham against Aston Villa is quite tasty.

"I have obviously heard a lot about it and how passionate a derby it is and it is a game to look forward to, something to get my teeth into.

"It is passionate for the fans as much as for us, but we are there to win a game."