Summary

  • Rudy Gestede goal gives Villa victory

  • Villa into fourth round of League Cup

  • Jacques Maghoma misses best chance for Blues

  • 121st second city derby

Live Reporting

Tom Garry

  1. Brian Little
    ex-Aston Villa player & manager on BBC WM 95.6

    I'd like to see Rudy Gestede play more like Peter Withe - who played for both these sides - and pin the centre backs."

  2. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    After a fairly end-to-end first 10 minutes or so, things have quietened down a bit on the pitch, but not so off it. The noise is relentless.

    Birmingham pass the ball around nicely to their right and Jacques Maghoma's cross is aimed towards Clayton Donaldson, but Villa get the ball away.

  3. Get Involved at #bbcfootball

    I think that may be a little harsh David, but football's a funny business!

  4. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    This game is being played at a pretty high tempo so far. Both teams are going in search of the opening goal.

  5. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    If anyone is going to score for Aston Villa tonight, it might well be Gabby Agbonlahor. The striker has a fine record of netting in the second city derby. He does look lively, in these early stages.

    Gabby AgbonlahorGetty Images

  6. Brian Little
    ex-Aston Villa player & manager on BBC WM 95.6

    The Villa front three are pulling Birmingham's back four very tight so there's a lot of room in wide areas."

  7. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Gabby Agbonlahor is the target for a dangerous, low cross from Leandro Bacuna. Tomasz Kuszczak comes out bravely to claim the ball at Agbonlahor's feet.

  8. Martin O'Connor
    former Birmingham captain on BBC WM 95.6

    Birmingham are playing patient possession football. It can take the sting out of games like this."

  9. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Aston Villa almost score but Birmingham get the ball away after a slight goalmouth scramble. Rudy Gestede tries to get his shot away but Tomasz Kuscszak did well to scramble clear before he could.

  10. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Demarai Gray curls it over the wall but it goes straight into Brad Guzan's waiting arms.

  11. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Birmingham have won a free-kick just otuside the D, after a shove on Jacques Maghoma by Joleon Lescott.

  12. CLOSE!

    Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Birmingham's Jacques Maghoma works his way into space in the penalty area but his shot goes narrowly wide of the far post. Brad Guzan looked beaten. That was a let off for Villa.

  13. Brian Little
    ex-Aston Villa player & manager on BBC WM 95.6

    The players from both sides have responded to the terrific atmosphere. They're both on the front foot so far."

  14. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Young Blues winger Demarai Gray does well to get the byline, after a long ball from Stephen Gleeson, but his left-footed cross goes over the bar.

  15. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Rudy Gestede has the first shot of the night but the Aston Villa man snatches at his effort from outside the box and it trickles wide, harmlessly.

  16. Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    The atmosphere is lively to say the least. The teams exchange brief spells of possession in the early stages.

  17. KICK-OFF

    Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

    Birmingham, playing in their traditional royal blue kit, get the game going.

  18. Martin O'Connor
    former Birmingham captain on BBC WM 95.6

    Some of these games are memorable for the wrong reasons. Hopefully tonight's a good game."

  19. The teams are out

    Aston Villa v Birmingham City (19:45 BST)

    We are getting ever closer to the start of this big, big game. The noise around Villa Park is quite something. Both sets of fans are giving it everything.

  20. View from the dugout

    Aston Villa v Birmingham City (19:45 BST)

    Birmingham boss Gary Rowett tells Sky Sports:

    "I don't think we're favourites, when we're playing away from home and when a team has spent £55M and we've spent 55 grand, a bag of crisps and a bag of balls.

    "We've put an extra man in midfield in David Davis, an extra strength.

    "All I can do is pick the team, try to inspire them. I'm looking froward to it. Hopefully it should be a strong, passionate affair this evening. We can go and relax and play our football."