Image source, PA

So Jack Grealish is the match-winner at St Andrew's after an afternoon of much incident - not all of it welcome.

Hopefully his winning goal will be remembered for years to come rather than what went before it.

They'll be more reaction to this game and events around it on BBC Sport later today but our EFL action will return on Tuesday.

We've got midweek action both that evening and on Wednesday in what promises to be another significant week.

In the meantime - thanks for being with us this afternoon.

More reaction from Jack Grealish on Sky Sports:

"I hope I've given all the boys a lift since I've come back in from injury.

"Captaining the club is something I've dreamed of since being a lad and supporting this club.

"To score twice as captain this season is a lovely feeling."

Conor Hourihane:

"We've got some tough games to come, but we'll take it game by game.

"Hopefully we can keep picking up the points and stay in touch with the play-offs as we approach the international break at the end of the month.

"We'll just move on to Forest on Wednesday night first."

Birmingham City have released a statement following this afternoon's attack on Villa's Jack Grealish by a fan.

They say: "Birmingham City Football Club would like to apologise to Jack Grealish and Aston Villa Football Club for an incident in this afternoon’s derby match.

"We deplore the behaviour of the individual who committed this act and rest assured he will be banned from St. Andrew’s for life. The club will also support any further punishment this individual may face in the eyes of the law.

"The club will be working with the relevant authorities to investigate all the circumstances and we will be reviewing our stadium safety procedures.

"What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this – there are no excuses.

"Again, we apologise to Jack and all at Aston Villa Football Club."

Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane on Sky Sports:

"Jack showed his class today.

"The banter between the fans with the chanting and singing is fine, but to have behaviour like that is absolutely disgusting.

"Full credit to Jack, he showed his class and had the last laugh."

Jack Grealish on Sky Sports reacting to the attack by a supporter in the first half:

"I was just unaware at the time.

"I think we had a corner, I was walking into position and felt an arm come around my face from behind.

"There's rivalry and stuff in football, but I don't think there's any place for that in football.

"I just tried to get on with my job really and I think I did. I've scored the winner and we've come away with the three points."

Image source, PA

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish speaking to Sky Sports:

"It's the best day of my life, to come here for the first time as Villa captain and score the winner is what dreams are made of."

It's time to get some reaction to the action at St Andrew's.

First, we'll here from the man who has been at the centre of attention all afternoon - Jack Grealish.

If you missed any of the action - here's how colleague Ged Scott saw the game unfold in our match report...

Here's confirmation then of Villa moving up to ninth.

They also close the gap to Derby in the last play-off place to four points.

Birmingham meanwhile slip to 11th and are five points off the top six.

Image source, .

Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC WM 95.6

Villa deserved it on the balance of play. They got stronger as the game went on and they had the better of the chances in the first half too.

The incident that happened with Jack Grealish put a dampener on the whole day for Birmingham.

It is football karma that Grealish let his football do the talking in the second half and scored the winner.

Image source, Getty Images

All over!

Villa cling on despite that late Birmingham City rally and it's Jack Grealish who will be the man to take the headlines (for more than just his winning goal too).

Villa complete a league double over their city rivals and will climb above them to ninth in the table too.

Wasted chances for Birmingham and Tyrone Mings heads clear again for Villa.

Long throw-in for Birmingham. They're still pressing for this leveller....

Corner to them in the last minute of added time...

Corner to Birmingham and Lee Camp is up there with them.

Another glorious chance for Craig Gardner with a header this time at the near post that he can't quite direct the right side of the post.

Villa trying to hit the far corner as often as possible to keep the ball away from danger.

John McGinn goes into the book meanwhile for a bit of a late challenge.

FIVE MINUTES TO BE ADDED ON....

Joshua King: Ashamed to be a lifelong Birmingham fan. Never thought I'd say this but I'm happy Grealish scored. Good for him to stand up to idiocy. Club should be punished to demonstrate to fans around the country that behaviour is beyond disgraceful.

Into the closing stages now and Birmingham keep trying to go direct.

Pinging around from left and right before Craig Gardner misses an absolutely huge chance.

Connor Mahoney with the cross from the left, but Gardner can't keep his strike down and it's over the crossbar from just 10 yards out.

Hopeful balls go into Villa's area from Birmingham but Tyrone Mings is the chief guard in there to make sure neither Che Adams or Lukas Jutkiewicz get a telling touch.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at St Andrew's

Image source, Rex Features

It has gone eerily quiet for the home fans.

An afternoon which started badly has got worse.

Whatever punishment awaits them for the assault on Jack Grealish, his second-half goal will only serve to make them feel worse.

No doubt Villa’s fans will be in trouble too for the throwing of a claret-coloured smoke canister on the pitch. And, given the booking Grealish got for jumping at the crowd, maybe the fact that other Villa players joined him there and didn’t get booked, maybe that’s one that will get looked at too.

Either way, Grealish’s exit from the fray looks a very sensible move.