Image source, Rex Features

Just in case there isn't enough riding on this match to satisfy you already, we've also got a manager coming up against his old club.

Between 2001 and 2007, Steve Bruce led Birmingham to promotion to the Premier League (twice) and enjoyed four memorable derby victories over Aston Villa.

But his final game in charge of the Blues was in fact a home loss to Villa.

And these days, he's very much in the Claret and Blue corner.

Tony Morley
Ex-Aston Villa winger on BBC WM

I'd always take Villa playing at home, but I don't think it's going to be an easy game.

From Villa's point of view, Harry Redknapp coming in at Blues couldn't have come at a worse time. He'll get them up for it.

As well as your tributes to Ugo Ehiogu, we want to hear from your about today's match - who will win the derby?

Can Harry Redknapp keep Birmingham up? Is Steve Bruce building a Villa side that can challenge for promotion next season?

These are all things we would welcome your views on - you can get involved using #bbcefl on Twitter.

Image source, Rex Features

There is no place in Harry Redknapp's first Birmingham squad for Turkey's Kerim Frei, who netted the final goal of Gianfranco Zola's tenure at the club - a direct free-kick in a 1-1 draw at Rotherham on Good Friday.

Harry Redknapp appears to have abandoned Gianfranco Zola's usual formation of three at the back and two wing backs, as he selects a straight back four.

In all, the visitors make three changes from Monday's loss to Burton, with Paul Robinson, Jacques Maghoma and Maikel Kieftenbeld coming in for Krystian Bielik, Cheick Keita and Robert Tesche, who are all on the bench.

Birmingham: Kuszczak, Nsue, Shotton, Robinson, Grounds, Maghoma, Kieftenbeld, Gardner, Davis, Adams, Jutkiewicz.

Subs: Legzdins, Tesche, Gleeson, Stewart, Dacres-Cogley, Bielik, Keita.

Villa, who are without top scorer Jonathan Kodjia, make five changes.

Alan Hutton, Neil Taylor, Henri Lansbury, Leandro Bacuno and Albert Adomah all come in.

Striker Gabby Agbonlahor - who has something of a knack of scoring against Birmingham - is on the bench.

Villa: Johnstone, Hutton, Chester (c), Baker, Taylor, Lansbury, Jedinak, Bacuna, Adomah, Grealish, Hogan.

Subs: Bunn, Elphick, Agbonlahor, Hourihane, Bree, Gardner, Amavi.

Image source, Getty Images

Ugo Ehiogu was loved by Villa fans and admired by the wider football community.

You can send in your tributes to him and your favourite memories of the man via #bbcefl on Twitter.

Image source, BBC Sport

But, since then, Birmingham's predicament has worsened somewhat, after big wins for relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, Burton Albion and Bristol City on Saturday.

And, although 22nd-placed Blackburn were held to a draw at Wolves, that point moved them to within just two points of the Blues.

The pressure is well and truly on Harry Redknapp's men.

Image source, Getty Images

First of all, Burton Albion won at St Andrew's to leave Birmingham City - at that stage - three points above the relegation zone with three games remaining.

Image source, Rex Features

That prompted this guy to resign.

Image source, Rex Features

Then this fella received a phone call.

Image source, Rex Features

And within 16 hours, he was the new Birmingham City manager.

Image source, Rex Features

And for the visitors - who urgently need points in their bid to avoid relegation - there's a new man in charge after a week unlike any other in recent memory in B9.

For Aston Villa in particular, this will be a poignant day after the sudden passing of their former defender, Ugo Ehiogu, aged 44.

Ehiogu made over 200 appearances for Aston Villa between 1991 and 2000.

A minute's applause will be held before kick-off and both sets of players will wear black armbands, as Villa Park will no doubt pay an emotional tribute to an extremely popular man.

BBC Sport app users may need click view more to see the tweets above from Aston Villa and Birmingham City.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the local derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City.

Two fierce rivals go head-to-head at Villa Park from 12:00 BST.

But on this occasion, the game is about far much more than just local bragging rights.