Aston Villa 1 Birmingham City 0 - Report

The 30-year-old scored his first goal in 14 months - and the fifth of his career against Villa’s city rivals - to decide a derby lacking in quality.

Blues had fashioned the only real opportunity prior to Agbonlahor’s introduction, with Che Adams hooking over from close range.

Villa rarely threatened all game but won it thanks to Agbonlahor, who fired home at close range following a corner, in his first appearance following three months out with a hamstring injury.

Analysis

It was a goal which completed a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of a player who only 12 months ago looked to have played his last game for the club.

Brought in from the cold by Steve Bruce following his appointment as boss in October, the veteran striker gave Villa the spark which had been lacking, in what until his introduction had been an insipid performance.

Blues, in their first game under Harry Redknapp, were committed but lacking in quality. The result leaves them just two points above the relegation zone with two games to play.

For the second game running Bruce made five changes to his starting line-up, with the big news for the hosts being the return of the fit-again Neil Taylor at left-back.

Alan Hutton, Albert Adomah, Henri Lansbury and Leandro Bacuna also returned to the starting line-up, with Jack Grealish among six who kept their place from the 3-1 Easter Monday defeat at Fulham.

A rousing minute’s applause in memory of Ugo Ehiogu preceded kick-off and set the tone for a busy opening which was high on hustle and bustle but short on quality and chances.

Blues threatened almost immediately from kick-off but Jacques Maghoma’s cross from the left was just too high for Lukas Jutkiewicz.

That in truth was the most alarm caused to either defence during the opening half-hour, with the final ball from both teams in the final third leaving plenty to be desired.

When the first real chance did arrive, it fell to the visitors and Adams, who hooked over Lucas Jutkiewicz’s cross on the volley after David Davis had led a Blues breakaway.

There was no shortage of commitment from Villa but their play was pedestrian and lacking in spark.

The introduction on the hour of Agbonlahor, to a rapturous reception, at changed all that.

The veteran striker raised the volume further by winning a throw-in off Davis and was then booked along with Blues Ryan Shotton after some pushing and shoving following a foul on Lansbury. Skipper James Chester then headed the resulting free-kick over the bar. It was Villa’s first real chance.

Davis then brought the first save of the game from Johnstone with a snapshot which the Villa keeper palmed away.

But on 68 minutes it was Villa who led through Agbonlahor. Lansbury’s corner was met by Baker at the near post and the ball fell perfectly for Agbonlahor to hook home on the turn.

The goal sparked a minor pitch invasion from a couple of home supporters at the North Stand end of the ground.

When play did resume, it was Blues who went immediately in search of an equaliser and a deflected Adams cross almost caught out Johnstone at the near post, with the keeper getting just enough on the ball to deflect it behind.

But Villa’s defence held firm to ensure the day was theirs and Agbonlahor’s.

Key moments

37 The only real chance of the first half falls to Blues. Lukas Jutkiewicz cross from the left but Che Adams hooks his volley over the bar.

65 Sam Johnstone is alert to palm away David Davis’ snapshot.

68 GOAL Agbonlahor fires Villa in front. Lansbury’s corner is returned into the mix by Baker and falls perfectly for the striker to fire home on the turn.

Teams

Villa (4-1-4-1): Johnstone, Hutton, Chester, Baker, Taylor, Jedinak, Adomah (Gardner 75), Lansbury, Bacuna, Grealish (Agbonlahor 59), Hogan Subs not used: Elphick, Hourihane, Bree, Amavi, Bunn (gk).

Blues (4-5-1): Kuszczak, Nsue, Robinson Shotton, Grounds, Maghoma (Stewart 85), Gardner, Kieftenbeld (Keita 89), Davis, Adams, Jutkiewicz Subs not used: Tesche, Gleeson, Dacres-Cogley, Bielik, Legzdins (gk).