Agbonlahor seals deal for Villa with late winner

FT: Birmingham 0 Aston Villa 1

Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor scored a late winner to settle a scrappy derby against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Agbonlahor struck with six minutes remaining to lift Martin O’Neill’s side into sixth place in the Barclays Premier League.

City had dominated for much of the second half but failed to create anything of note to trouble Villa keeper Brad Friedel and they paid for their lacklustre display when Agbonlahor pounced to score from close range.

In the 77th minute Warnock’s cross found Sidwell at the far post but his header was straight into the arms of City keeper Hart.

Three minutes later Milner sent a right-foot shot towards the bottom corner from 20 yards but Hart managed to dive low to his left to keep it out.

But the deadlock was finally broken in the 84th minute when Young’s free-kick was nodded back by substitute John Carew for Agbonlahor to apply the necessary finish from close range.