Derby County and Aston Villa both appointed new manager last week.
Ray Parlour has told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 17th October, that he believes Derby County will finish higher than Aston Villa this season.
Derby and Villa have both made poor starts to the season, and changed managers last week to try and kick start their seasons.
The Rams put Steve McClaren in charge, after parting company with Nigel Pearson, while Villa decided to appoint Steve Bruce.
And Parlour believes that Derby will come out on top in the battle of the two Midlands sides this season.
“If I was putting money down, I would say Derby [will finish higher than Villa],” he said. “But it’s going to be close.”
Derby won their first match under the guidance of McClaren, by beating Leeds United 1-0.
Villa, on the other hand, did not manage to get off to winning ways with Bruce in charge – and could only pick up a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Derby currently sit in 19th place in the Championship table, with Villa two points behind them in 20th position.
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