Troy Deeney stuns Simon Jordan with his biggest rivalry in English football – and it’s NOT an obvious pick – as he claims one iconic derby is bigger than Arsenal v Tottenham

Troy Deeney left Simon Jordan stunned as he named the biggest football rivalry in England and robustly rebuffed suggestions that Arsenal v Tottenham is the standout derby of the calendar.

The 35-year-old previously spent the best years of his career at Watford, earning promotions from the Championship with the Hornets and scoring 47 Premier League goals in the process.

Other spells at Birmingham, Walsall and Forest Green Rovers formed the remainder of his playing career before Deeney retired last-year and subsequently took up a head coach role at Rovers.

Deeney’s reign as Forest Green manager lasted just 29 days before he was sacked after publicly criticising players and getting a four-match ban for verbally abusing a referee.

However, his exploits as a striker in the English top-flight earned him legendary status, but the striker’s true footballing love has always remained at boyhood club Birmingham.

Troy Deeney named what he believes is the biggest rivalry in English football and it’s not an obvious selection

Deeney previously starred for Watford by scoring scoring 47 Premier League goals for the Hornets

Deeney dashed the suggestion that Tottenham’s rivalry with Arsenal is the biggest in England

A late career move to Birmingham was one of the crowning moments of his career and Deeney believes the Second City Derby against Aston Villa is the biggest rivalry in England.

Explaining his reasons for the selection, Deeney told talkSPORT ‘I think we’re bigger than Tottenham v Arsenal personally. In terms of rivalry absolutely.

Co-host Jordan replied with astonishment stating ‘what?!’ before adding: ‘It’s such an infrequent fixture, Birmingham barely get to play Villa because they’re back where they belong in the lower echelons.’

Deeney scored 11 goals in 56 appearances for Birmingham before being released by the Championship outfit as part of an exodus of players in the summer of 2021.

The iconic rivalry between Villa and the blue half of Birmingham is one of the blockbuster showdowns in England but is a rare encounter given the two clubs playing in different divisions.

Deeney named the iconic Second City derby between Aston Villa and England as the biggest in the nation

Deeney stunned Simon Jordan by claiming the Birmingham/Aston Villa rivalry is the biggest in England

The two teams last clashed five-years ago at a time when Villa were fighting in the Championship alongside Birmingham, with Deeney further revealing that he had a chance to play for his cross-city rivals.

Deeney added: ‘I had an opportunity to join Villa. My best friend let me know that it wouldn’t be a good idea and they told me they wanted me to remove my Birmingham City tattoo.

‘It was part of the conversation in 2013 or 2014. I wouldn’t have had it removed though and it didn’t get too far. 

‘My best friend is Birmingham City die hard and my whole family is, other than my brother. It would have been a difficult place to live and see the family if I was playing for Villa.’