Johnson defiant as Blues buckle again

DAMIEN JOHNSON has admitted Birmingham must “learn to close out games” if they are to win their battle to stay in the Premier League.

Alex McLeish’s side were again left to rue their concession of a late goal, this time from Derby substitute Emanuel Villa, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-placed Derby.

It meant Blues dropped into the bottom three for the first time since mid-August with former manager Steve Bruce’s Wigan leapfrogging them.