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• Leaders Norwich make it six wins in a row with a 4-1 thumping of Swansea
• Middlesbrough move up to second with victory at Brentford
• Preston stretch unbeaten run to eight games after 4-1 win over rivals Blackburn
• Leeds up to third after beating Bristol City
• Millwall grab late equaliser against Bolton

The most recent Second City derby saw Villa come out 2-0 winners at Villa Park last season.

Albert Adomah opened the scoring after an hour with a well hit shot from just inside the box.

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Conor Hourihane's superb dipping left-foot volley then found the back of net to seal victory nine minutes from time.

Birmingham's Cheikh Ndoye was shown a red card in stoppage-time for a second bookable offence, to add insult to injury for the Blues.

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Despite their poor record against Villa over the past decade, Blues' exploits this season has renewed some optimism among fans.

Garry Monk's side have only lost three of their opening 17 matches, and despite plenty of draws, they've recorded impressive away wins at Leeds and Stoke.

Can they pick up another victory in their most important trip of the campaign this lunchtime?

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Blues fans may want to look away now.

They have not beaten their fiercest rivals in a league fixture since March 2005 - 13 games ago.

Goals from Emile Heskey, via a Thomas Sorensen clanger, and Julian Gray sealed a 2-0 victory at St Andrew's.

Since then, Villa have won eight and there have been four draws.

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It's been something of a mixed campaign so far for Villa.

Steve Bruce's reign came to an end in October after he only managed one win in nine Championship matches, which lead to a frustrated Villa fan throwing a cabbage at him.

Villa appointed former Brentford boss Dean Smith as their new head coach, with John Terry as his assistant.

They started with a couple of losses, but back-to-back wins including a 3-0 victory at Derby before the international break have sparked fresh impetus into their season.

Villa make one change from the side which beat Derby a fortnight ago - Glenn Whelan replaces injured midfielder John McGinn. The two goalscorers from the last Second City meeting - Conor Hourihane and Albert Adomah - both start.

Aston Villa: Nyland, Hutton, Chester, Tuanzebe, Taylor, Whelan, Hourihane, Grealish, Adomah, Kodjia, Abraham.

Blues bring in two new faces from the side which drew 3-3 against Hull. Charlie Lakin and Jota drop out and in come Wes Harding and Craig Gardner.

Birmingham: Camp, Colin, Morrison, Dean, Harding, Pedersen, C Gardner, Kieftenbeld, Mahoney, Adams, Jutkiewicz.

First up, let's get some team news from Villa Park...

What will today's 127th meeting between Aston Villa and Birmingham City bring?

Stay right here to follow all the action...

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And more flashpoints...

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Flashpoints...

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Pumped up celebrations...

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Great goals...

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There has been last-minute drama...

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The Second City derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City has thrown up plenty of treats over the years...

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