Birmingham 1 Aston Villa 1: Growing up in the shadow of Villa Park Gabriel Agbonlahor must have surely dreamt of one day scoring the winner against Birmingham City while wearing his favourite claret and blue jersey. The England under-21 lived the dream today with an 88th minute winner against Steve Bruce's side.

Agbonlahor's glancing header two minutes from time was enough for a 2-1 win for Villa, who lead from the 11th minute after former centre back Liam Ridgewell diverted into his own net.

Finnish striker Mikael Forssell levelled the scores with a bullet header just after the hour.

Ridgewell thought he had made amends minutes from the death when he directed a downward header into the bottom corner, but he was denied by the outstretched foot of Agbonlahor.

Villa went up the other end having been spared and when Ashley Young whipped in a cross from the left Agbonlahor needed only to direct it past Maik Taylor in the Birmingham net.

Blues began promisingly, and a deep ball across the box from Wilson Palacios picked out Daniel de Ridder on the right side of the Villa box - but his shot was blocked by Wilfred Bouma.

Blues appealed in vain for a penalty when Cameron Jerome's flick appeared to strike the hand of Zat Knight - but referee Steve Bennett waved played on.

Villa quickly moved into the ascendancy, and Carew should have done better when he turned past Johan Djourou but failed to make proper contact with his shot.

After nine minutes, Villa took the lead via an own goal from their former defender Ridgewell. Stilian Petrov whipped over a low cross from the right wing, and the ball hit Ridgewell's knee and flew past Taylor into the corner of the net.

Taylor produced a fine low save to prevent Villa doubling their lead after Villa captain Gareth Barry robbed Mehdi Nafti and released Carew, whose low drive extended the Northern Ireland number one.

Olivier Kapo had a rare sight of goal for Blues but dragged his shot wide rather than trying to pick out Jerome, who was well placed.

Martin Laursen was dominating in the air at the back for Villa, and De Ridder was harshly booked after going down in the Birmingham box when challenged by the Danish international.

Taylor again did well to block a low, close-range effort from Agbonlahor with his feet shortly before the interval.

Blues boss Steve Bruce opted for a half-time substitution, bringing on striker Forssell in place of Palacios.

Jerome had an early chance to bring Blues back on level terms, after turning in the Villa box, but Knight came across to block his eventual shot.

Fabrice Muamba became the third City player to be booked for a challenge on Petrov.

Referee Bennett handed out yet another yellow card, to Stephen Kelly for a barge into the dangerous Young.  Carson comfortably dealt with a low shot from Forssell, which took a deflection off Knight - but there signs of City coming more into the game.

After 62 minutes, St Andrews erupted when Forssell brought Blues level.

Muamba picked out the run of De Ridder, and his first-time cross was met by Forssell - whose header gave Scott Carson no chance.

Back came Villa, and Ridgewell produced a fine tackle on Carew as he prepared to shoot inside the Blues box.

But Birmingham had the momentum, and Carson parried away a pile-driver from Jerome.

Nigel Reo-Coker missed a golden chance to restore Villa's lead when he fired wide from six yards out when completely unmarked - but Agbonlahor finally settled the issue.