Ash hoping history repeats itself
1st November
Ashley Williams is hoping history repeats itself when the Swans face Cardiff on Sunday (4pm).
The two sides meet for the first time in the Premier League in what will be the 106th south Wales derby.
The last time both clubs faced one another was during the 2010-11 campaign - with both teams recording 1-0 wins away from home.
In the corresponding fixture back in November 2010, on-loan striker Marvin Emnes scored the winner for Swansea at the Cardiff City Stadium.
And Williams - who will feature in his eighth derby - is hoping for a similar result this weekend.
"It's nice to play derbies at home, but it's also nice to go and play in an atmosphere like that," he said.
"Most players will thrive on that, we're looking forward to it and we want to go there and do the job.
"It's obviously nice to win in front of your own fans, but it's great to go and win away from home - and a repeat of three years ago would be nice.
"I remember there were some great scenes at the end of that game, and it just highlighted the importance of the fixture.
"Compared to how it has been before, this game feels a bit bigger - and I think everybody feels the same.
"I've enjoyed all the games before and I'm looking forward to this one."
Following Cardiff's promotion to the Premier League this season, anticipation has grown for the return of the derby.
The Bluebirds have had a solid start to the campaign, with a home win over Manchester City being one of the highlights for Malky Mackay's men.
Williams is expecting a tough encounter on Sunday and called on his team-mates to focus on playing to their strengths.
"You can't expect to win any game in the Premier League," he said. "Even more so when you're playing away from home.
"They have got a good team and have had a good start to the season, but we feel we can win the game if we play our own game and stick to what we are good at.
"The team that stays the most focussed and plays the game for what it is will go on and win it - but we know we'll have to be focussed right up until the final whistle.
"We are expecting a tough, physical game and we expect them to come out of the traps fast.
"The new players also know what the game means to the fans and it will be nice to win it for them."
