A dramatic weekend of Championship action climaxes with the ‘Second City’ derby as a resurgent Aston Villa meet Birmingham City at Villa Park.
Both sides experienced tricky starts to the season but are now pushing for the play-offs and whoever wins here will go eighth.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesAston Villa have captain, James Chester fit despite the defender having picked up a knee injury on international duty for Wales.
Neil Taylor is also available but Iceland international, Birkir Bjarnason could be absent as he struggles to shake off a groin problem.
Midfielder, John McGinn faces late fitness tests if he is to feature after pulling out of Scotland squad with a calf strain.
Birmingham could have Jaques Maghoma available after the Congo international recovered from an ankle injury.
Jota is doubtful with a hip injury but long-term absentees, David Davis (ankle) and Isaac Vassell (knee) are definitely ruled out.
Form
Having won just one of their first three matches under Dean Smith, Aston Villa have won their last two without conceding.
During those five games, Villa have had five different goal scorers with Tammy Abraham and James Chester both getting two goals each whilst Jack Grealish, Connor Hourihane and John McGinn all scored once.
Birmingham meanwhile are in sublime form with just one loss in last 13 league games, which came in their last away trip at fellow Midlands rivals, Derby County.
Drawing matches however seem to be the Brummies’ speciality with three pairs of 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2 draws. Their last outing also finished in a draw as they drew 3-3 with Hull City at home.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa are unbeaten in last six meetings across all competitions (W3, D3).
- Villa haven’t lost their last seven home games against Birmingham (W5, D1) since a 1-2 loss in December 2004.
- Since Birmingham beat Villa at home in League Cup clash in December 2010, recent results have a pattern of DWDWDW.
- Birmingham have scored 23 goals in their opening 17 league games this season compared to nine at this stage last season.
- Lukas Jutkiewicz has scored four of Birmingham’s seven away goals in the league this season and has also scored in three of his last four outings as well.
Prediction
If Birmingham turn up and deliver another attacking display, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they took the three points.
Gary Monk however has only taken two draws from two league trips here as a manager so am ultimately going for a draw, in line with the current pattern despite the three recent draws all coming at St Andrews.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Birmingham City
Result: Aston Villa 4-2 Birmingham City
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