Mellberg - out to stop Vassell (Allsport).
MELLBERG OUT TO STOP VASSELL
By John Curtis, PA Sport
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Darius Vassell has been warned to "expect no favours" when he comes up
against his Aston Villa team-mate Olof Mellberg in England's World Cup opener
with Sweden on Sunday.
Vassell is likely to partner Michael Owen after forcing his way into the final
23 for the finals with the aid of three goals in four starts for his country.
But Mellberg, who had an excellent first season for Villa after last summer's
switch from Racing Santander, is confident he can keep Vassell quiet in
Saitama.
He said: "I have played against team-mates in international matches before -
and I have usually got the better of them.
"What Darius has done is great and the way he has forced his way into the
England squad and taken his chance has been tremendous.
"I sort of guessed that he would be going to the World Cup after his goal
against Holland and everyone at Villa has been pleased for him. But I do know a
lot about his game - and I am looking to keep him quiet."
Mellberg believes another Villa player in recent signing Marcus Allback could
help to make Sunday a miserable day for England.
He said: "It was good to see Villa make a move for Marcus and the manager
(Graham Taylor) did well to get him for £2million.
"I told him all about Villa and after that he felt he wanted to sign and I am
confident he will do well next season and he has the ability to pose problems
for England as well."
Mellberg has plenty of respect for England but spelt out the determination in
the Swedish squad to try and emulate the 1994 squad which reached the World Cup
semi-finals.
He said: "In a poll in Sweden, that team won the sporting achievement of the
century award. They were bigger than Bjorn Borg. That shows you how much
football means.
"We want to do well in Japan and hopefully we can progress, maybe at
England's expense, but Argentina and Nigeria will also be tough."
Mellberg admits England are attracting great interest back home because of
having Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach.
He said: "It is strange that there is almost as much interest in the England
team because of Eriksson.
"I also think the Swedes will feel that Eriksson is bringing a calmness to
the England side that wasn't there before.
"I don't know what it is, but all the Sweden players and coaches do have a
certain calmness to them."
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