2nd leg of this season's Birmingham derby will kick off at Villa Park on Sunday. The Villans won the reverse fixture in September 1-0. Both sides are in the top part of the table but
Aston Villa have a chance at European qualification if they can get 3 points here.
Alex McLeish's boys were amongst those most favored to make a quick return to the Championship this season. However, the gaffer has managed to create a well organised and tough team that is pressing into the top half of the table! Word has spread that Birmingham will invest heavily in their squad for next season so McLeish's ambition is hardly sated.
Villa have had a tough season as they have come close to winning several competitions, but have fallen just short. Two disappointing trips to wembley are trying to be forgotten after the Villans were knocked out in both the
Carling Cup final and the FA Cup semi-final.
Aston Villa will recieve a boost with the return of captain
Stillyan Petrov, Richard Dunne and Stephen Warnock. All 3 were injured in this past Wednesday's match against Hull but have since recovered and will be available for the start. McLeish has no new injury worries but he may rotate his squad.
Craig Gardner will play against his former club for the first time since his January transfer.
Birmingham have not won in 7 matches and lost their past 3 in a row on the road. Aston Villa still have something to prove here as a 5th place finish would be a small salvage for
Martin O'
Neill's season. Villans have won their past 2 matches against weak competition but are in good goal-scoring form and should take control of the derby match at Villa Park.
Aston Villa - Birmingham City
Sunday 25 April, 2010
Kickoff: 1:00 PM (CET)
Venue: Villa Park (Birmingham)
Tip: Aston Villa (1x2)
Best Odds: 1.67 @ Bet365
