Nothing comes from that corner for the hosts and Andrew Madley has seen enough in this opening half.

No goals so far, but plenty of energy and determination.

Fingers crossed things pick up after the break.

Sam Gallagher gets an early involvement in the air and then takes a speculative effort on the volley, but Villa get it clear for a corner.

Isaac Vassell goes off and Sam Gallagher comes on in a like-for-like change for Birmingham.

Image source, Rex

Isaac Vassell down on the deck again after having to need that earlier treatment and it looks like his game may be done here.

Three minutes are added on at the end of this first half meanwhile.

Half-time approaching and my stomach is rumbling.

Not been a great deal to satisfy the appetite in this first half that's why. Can someone produce a magic moment to break this deadlock?

Postpublished at 41 mins

41 mins

Birmingham City 0-0 Aston Villa

Cheikh N'Doye rises in the air again and this time Glenn Whelan is the man who tries to compete with him.

Ironic cheers from the home contingent as Whelan goes down and needs a bit of attention.

He's up and running again though after just a brief pause.

Image source, Rex Features

Good build-up of pressure form Birmingham follwoing a short corner from Jota and a cross in from the left is net in the air by Cheikh N'Doye.

His downward header is well gathered though by Sam Johnstone from just eight yards out.

Break in play for a few moments as Isaac Vassell receives some treatment on the pitch following another meaty challenge in the Villa half.

He's back on his feet though and should be OK to continue.

David Davis into the Villa area down the right but he can't pull it back across goal to find a team-mate.

Sam Johnstone collects easily, but then he almost comes a cropper with a clearance off the floor.

Isaac Vassell charges the ball down, it bounces off the striker and nearly into the net behind.

Lucky escape for the Villa keeper.

As Ged was saying, not exactly a moment so far in this one where you can say either side has come close.

But, Jota seems to want to make a mark for Birmingham as he carries the ball forward again to the edge of the Villa area, his left-foot shot just lacking any power and Sam Johnstone can easily collect that one.

Image source, Getty Images

Long throw into the Villa penalty area from Maikel Kieftenbeld bounces dangerously inside the box, but Villa just about get it away from Che Adams and his attempted half volley.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at St Andrew's

Image source, Rex Features

Not really caught fire this one yet, despite Blues fans showering Villa's players with their free 'clappers' every time they come near the touchline.

You get the slight impression that Blues look the more fired-up by the occasion and might just carry the greater threat, especially if Villa keep making so many unforced errors.

It's the clappers.

Cardboard, foldable ones being thrown on to the pitch by the home fans is what's holding up proceedings every time a Villa player gets a free-kick in reach of the touchline.

Hope they recycle all those after...

Isaac Vassell hits the deck in the Villa penalty area as he challenges with John Terry.

But, no penalty given as Andrew Madley blows his whistle, Vassell is adjudged to have fouled the former England captain.

No goals so far, but the game is swinging back and forth as neither side really keeps their composure on the ball.

Lots of long ball deployed so far - Birmingham with 14 to Villa's 19.

Birmingham midfielder David Davis is penalised for a handball in the centre circle but Villa waste the set piece.

Jota starts to find some space coming forward down the right for the hosts but Villa hold firm and block his half-chance of a shot as he cuts in on his left foot.

Image source, Getty Images

And now the tempers flare.

Robert Snodgrass and Che Adams tangle after the ball goes out of play from Ahmed Elmohamady's clearance.

A booking for each player and now they go back to their corners and wait for the bell to sound for the next round....

Albert Adomah finding space down Birmingham's right already and after he squares a pass to Glenn Whelan on the edge of the box, it forces David Davis to make a lunging tackle.

Villa corner is held up Robert Snodgrass having to avoid a few items from the crowd shall we say. Once he does deliver, John Terry arrives with a header but there's no real pace or power in it.

Image source, Getty Images

Isaac Vassell again makes a nuisance of himself up top for Birmingham and gives John Terry and James Chester something to think about in the Villa defence.

Vassell looks like he wants to chase down every long ball here for the hosts.

Not much goalmouth action to mention so far, but lots of grit and determination in the middle of the park.

Cheikh N'Doye and Albert Adomah both put in meaty challenges but Andrew Madley warns them just to keep a lid on it on both occasions.

Jonathan Kodjia tries his luck on the edge of the Birmingham area but Tomasz Kuszczak hangs on to it.