Birmingham City 0 Aston Villa 1 - Birmingham Post analysis

Sep 14 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Post

The intriguing battled continued in the Second City sunshine and Agbonlahor’s misdirected header, from makeshift right-back Carlos Cuellar’s cross, marked the end of a goalless first-half.

What appeared to be a thigh strain forced James McFadden off at the interval to be replaced by Carsley, who doubled the presence of Birmingham-born players on the St Andrew’s pitch along with Agbonlahor.

Defensively-minded Carsley attempted to become a surprise arrival on the scoresheet with a curling effort from 25 yards in the 54th minute, but Friedel was alert.

The lively Larsson’s accurate deliveries and surging runs on the right flank were a thorn in the side of Aston Villa but the away side’s new-look defence was standing up to the threat.

Birmingham’s centre-back Johnson decided to play the role of a marauding right winger in the 72nd minute but from the defender’s final delivery, the Villa defence managed to stifle O’Connor’s threat.

Martin O’Neill introduced his big goal-scoring hope in the 71st minute, Carew, and McLeish did the same eight minutes later with Christian Benitez.

However Villa were about to gave their neighbours a few nervy moments which eventually resulted in the match-winner. After Steve Sidwell and Milner had helped crank up the pressure around the Birmingham area, the breakthrough arrived in the 85th minute.

Ashley Young’s free-kick was flicked back across the goal by Carew and Agbonlahor directed his header beyond the reach of Joe Hart to spark jubilation among the travelling fans.

McLeish introduced one-time derby winner Kevin Phillips with three minutes remaining but it was Agbonlahor who almost put the game beyond reach, only for the striker to direct his one-on-one effort over.

Late drama ensued when goalkeeper Hart strode forward to add an extra body for a corner but Birmingham failed to find an equaliser.

Scorer: Agbonlahor (85).

BIRMINGHAM CITY (4-5-1): Hart; Tainio, Roger Johnson, Queudrue, Parnaby; Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey, McFadden (Carsley, h/t; Phillips, 87); O’Connor (Benitez, 79). Substitutes: Maik Taylor, Espinoza, McSheffrey, Damien Johnson.

ASTON VILLA (4-5-1): Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Milner, Sidwell, Reo-Coker (Carew, 71), Petrov, Ashley Young; Agbonlahor. Substitutes: Guzan, Delph, Heskey, Shorey, Beye, Gardner.

Referee: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire).

Bookings: Birmingham – Parnaby (foul); Aston Villa – Sidwell (foul), Agbonlahor (dissent).

Attendance: 25,196

Blues man of the match: Sebastian Larsson – surged forward menacingly and his accurate deliveries were a constant thorn in the side of Aston Villa.

Villa man of the match: Carlos Cuellar – the only familiar face in a new-look Aston Villa defence and he put in a sterling display as a makeshift right-back.