Birmingham City have more than just local pride at stake when they make the short trip to the outskirts of the second city on Sunday.
Blues can count themselves unlucky after the last two meetings against their neighbours. In September of last season, Blues were drawn out away at Villa in the League Cup. Rudy Gestede’s header sent Villa through despite Gary Rowett’s side dominating large parts of the game.
In October, Villa arrived a St. Andrews for the first league meeting between the teams since 2011, the year Blues were relegated. David Davis cancelled out Gary Gardner’s first half header as the game ended one-a-piece. Again, Blues had the better of the play but couldn’t force the ball over the line – story of the season. Although they did have a legitimate goal ruled out by the linesman.
Blues’ last derby success came in the 2011 League Cup quarter final. After going in front to a Seb Larsson penalty, Gabby Agbonlahor levelled. Then Nikola Zigic bundled home the winner late on which sent Blues into the semi final. They went on to lift the cup that season.
Blues haven’t beaten Villa in a league clash since March 2005. Goals from Emile Heskey and Julian Gray pushed Blues to a comfortable victory. Earlier in that season, Blues won at Villa Park 2-1 thanks to goals from Clinton Morrison and David Dunn. That season marked the end of Blues’ six game unbeaten run against their arch rivals.
Since then, they’ve met 11 times with Villa winning seven, three draws and a solitary Blues win.
Does the law of averages apply to football?
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