Wolves can rock Villa, says Karl Henry

Captain Karl Henry today insisted the force of 'Team Wolves' can rock troubled Villa - but expects a 'top-class' response from their hosts tomorrow.

Under-achieving Villa go into the derby in turmoil after injured defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins were disciplined yesterday for their part in a boozy row at a Leicestershire spa during a team-bonding exercise.

Mick McCarthy's side have no such problems with discipline and, despite a season-long struggle, Wolves are still in there fighting.

Henry claimed his team-mates will put their bodies on the line for each other as they seek a first victory over Villa in 31 years to take them to within a point of their illustrious opponents.

"I can't say we're a more together group than they are, but we've got a fantastic team spirit and we've got quite a few players who have been here for a while who all get on with each other on and off the pitch," said the midfielder.

"We've built a team spirit and an understanding with each other and that goes a long way.

"I think people can see that in our performances you see people backing each other up in tackles.

"The minimum requirement working for Mick McCarthy is maximum effort, but I see a player such as Jamie O'Hara who I've played against in the past and thought 'he's a good player', and yet not realised how hard he works."

But Henry warned Villa's troubles could galvanise them into producing their best.

"I'm sure what's going on with Villa at the moment doesn't help them, but we're certainly not expecting them to be any kind of shambles," he said.

"We fully expect to face a top-class Villa side."

By TIM NASH