Dean Smith will be hoping to give Aston Villa fans the same post Christmas feeling of disappointment he had as a youngster when Brentford face the Villans on Boxing Day.
The Bees head coach, who grew up a Villa fan, admitted that his main memory of festive clashes was a 3-0 defeat at rivals Birmingham City in 1982.
And he would love to repeat the Bees' 3-0 win in January when they meet Steve Bruce's side in front of the Sky cameras on Tuesday night.
Smith said: “The one that stands out is one of disappointment. I remember going to watch Aston Villa at Birmingham when all Boxing Day games were local derbies and Villa lost 3-0 so I remember the disappointment that.
“Boxing Day games are special. It'll be a new one on me kicking off at 7.30pm but I hear ticket sales are going well.”
Villa fans will be travelling in expectation and Smith is well versed in the demands that will be placed on that squad.
He added: “The expectations at Aston Villa are higher than most clubs in the Championship. They expect to be in the Premier League so there's a massive expectation on them. Once you're relegated you're a Championship team.”
Christmas is a time for family (and arguments) and Smith has warned his brother than he's only allowed to be happy if Brentford win.
He said: “Brother sits on the fence now. He's now a bit more Brentford as he'd be in trouble with me if he's not!”
