Birmingham v Aston Villa: Top 5 moments from the Second City Derby

Let's be honest, it's hardly a mouthwatering Super Sunday in the Premier League so we're actually genuinely looking forward to this one......swear

By / Football News / 6 years ago

Ah, the Second City derby. There’s nothing quite like two football clubs that absolutely despise each other. It’s not about who’s going to win the most trophies – because neither of these will be winning anything for the next half-century. We take a look back at some the most dramatic moments from England’s most intense rivalry.

Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa – Carling Cup Quarter final; 01/12/2010:

We know how the final went, but not everyone’s aware that the Blues beat their fiercest rivals in the last eight. Seb Larsson notched a penalty in the first half – sending Brad Friedel the wrong way. Gabby Agbonlahor equalised (of course he did) before cult hero Nikola Zigic – who was the fourteenth tallest building in the west midlands at the time – notched a very, very late winner in front of the Tilton.

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Aston Villa 5-1 Birmingham City – 20/04/2008:

This won’t go down well in Small Heath, but it did happen. Ashley Young and John Carew each bagged a brace before Gabby Agbonlahor (of course) netted the fifth. What was significant about this particular clash was that it kept Birmingham in the bottom three, before eventually being relegated. Villa finished in the top six.

Alex McLeish was Blues boss on this day, before he’d eventually make the journey north to manage Villa a few years later. The Villa manager on this occasion? Why, Mr. Martin O’Neill – before he went on to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Birmingham City 3-0 Aston Villa – 16/09/2002:

The first top flight meeting between these two since 1986 produced an all-time great moment for Birmingham City.

While comfortable in general, the lasting memory is of Olof Mellberg throwing the ball to Villa stopper Peter Enckelman before the Finnish ‘keeper let the ball roll under his studs into an empty net. That season belonged to Birmingham – winning the Villa Park clash as well.

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Aston Villa 2-2 Birmingham City – 22/02/2004:

“Stern John – in the last minute. Stern John – in the last minute.” – And so one of the Tilton’s favourite tunes was born.

This particular derby is remembered for the Trinidadian smashing in from two yards out, deep into injury time, but do you remember Thomas ‘The Hammer’ Hitzelsperger nearly sending the goalmouth halfway to Wolverhampton?

Birmingham City 1-1 Aston Villa – 30/10/2016:

One of the fiercest atmospheres seen in England last season. Gary Rowett was the Birmingham manager, while former Blues boss Steve Bruce returned to St. Andrew’s in claret.

Villa fan Gary Gardner looped his header into the roof of the net in the first half, before former Wolves midfielder David Davis scored this cracker with twenty minutes to go.

As Rowett left the pitch, Villa fans taunted him for once stating he was a fan of the club, before denying it after taking over at St. Andrew’s. Gary Rowett left soon after – before Gianfranco Zola single-handedly tried to relegate them. Thankfully, Mr. Harry Redknapp came in to save the day.

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