Image source, PA

The majority of the play so far in the second half has been played in the Villa half.

Birmingham's Craig Gardner hits a free-kick from a long way out straight at the Villa wall.

Jonathan Grounds should cross from the left for Birmingham, after a good ball from Jacques Maghoma, but the left-back can't find anyone in the middle.

Henri Lansbury crosses into the Birmingham box but it is easily claimed in the air by Tomasz Kuszczak.

Winger Jacques Maghoma has a chance to cross from the touchline for Birmingham but he runs the ball out of play.

It is very quiet now around the ground. The quietest it has been all game, after a noisy start.

Villa get the second half under way. No changes for either side at the break.

The Villa players are back out for the second half. They'll want to really improve on their relatively lacklustre first-half showing.

Image source, Empics

Aston Villa are of course without their top scorer Jonathan Kodjia, who is suspended this afternoon.

He was sent off after 22 minutes of Monday's 3-1 loss at Fulham.

How different could this match be if the Ivory Coast striker - who has scored 19 goals for Villa since signing from Bristol City last summer - was available today?

Tony Morley
Ex-Aston Villa winger on BBC WM

Harry's got his team set out right. Villa's creative people haven't got in the game at all.

Villa have to get the ball on the floor to Scott Hogan and also get Albert Adomah into the game.

Blues have done their job well, they've won their little battles.

I'm expecting a big improvement from Villa in the second half.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Compared to some of the more heated and dramatic derby games of the past between these two sides, this one has so far been like a Sunday afternoon tea party at the vicarage.

The Blues fans have had every reason to chant: "Is this a library?"

Just approaching the break, generated perhaps by one very competitive challenge by Jack Grealish, there has been a little more snap to the tackles.

Maybe this game might eventually prove memorable for something other than the superbly observed pre-match marking of the hugely sad loss of Villa legend Ugo Ehiogu?

Image source, Rex Features

Gabe Roberts: I reckon Harry Redknapp will get Birmingham firing so I'm backing them to win.

Rian Hoskins: Redknapp at Birmingham shows how strong the second tier is, that a side fighting relegation can attract big managers.

Aaron Gratton: It's great to see Harry back as manager, hope he keeps Birmingham up.

One thing listeners to BBC WM's commentary have possibly heard rather a lot of so far this lunchtime is Birmingham City fans singing their anthem Keep right on at Villa Park.

But does new boss Harry Redknapp know the words to the Blues' traditional tune?

It would seem so, as BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy found out.

Who can be the match winner this afternoon? Who should Steve Bruce or Harry Redknapp bring on in order to try and change things?

You can get involved and let us know your views via #bbcefl on Twitter.

That's the end of the first half. Che Adams fired over from close range for Birmingham but that was the only clear chance of an otherwise physical first 45 minutes.

One minute of added time has been signalled at the end of this half.

I'd guess Harry Redknapp will be the slightly happier of the two managers so far. He looks calm on the sidelines.

Half-time is fast approaching.

Image source, Getty Images

Forgive me for using this inevitable cliche but this is a typical derby game.

Che Adams' chance is the only clear one of the game so far. It's been intense, but ultimately it was never likely to produce beautiful, flowing football. Everyone is getting really stuck in.

Alan Hutton gets a talking to from the referee after a heavy challenge on Birmingham's Jacques Maghoma.

At the other end, Villa get a dangerous ball into the box but Jonathan Grounds clears.