Phillips on target for Villa
Birmingham City 0 Aston Villa 1
Kevin Phillips ensured himself of cult status among Aston Villa fans after earning his side their first Premiership victory over Steve Bruce’s side.
The former Southampton striker marked his comeback from a calf injury after a four-match absence by scoring the first-half winner at St Andrews.
It was the first time Villa had triumphed in seven meetings since their local rivals regained top-flight status in 2002.
Villa just about deserved their success despite having to soak up almost constant second-half pressure.
Steve Davis was their star performer in the centre of midfield and Gareth Barry also impressed on the left flank before suffering an ankle injury midway through the second period.
After a shaky start against the physical presence of Emile Heskey, the Villa centre-backs Olof Mellberg and Liam Ridgewell grew in stature.
The most encouraging aspect for Birmingham was the form of David Dunn in the final 20 minutes – his first senior action in 10 months after back surgery.
But the statistics show they are still searching for their first home win of the campaign and Steve Bruce needs his lengthy injury list to subside sooner rather than later to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle.
The initial exchanges were fast and furious and Villa were fired up for the challenge after their dismal run against Bruce’s side.
Villa’s passing was crisp but Birmingham winger Julian Gray missed a golden opportunity to put the home side ahead after 10 minutes.
Jermaine Pennant sent over a superb right-wing cross which was flicked across goal by Heskey to Gray, who was unmarked six yards out but drilled his low volley across the face of goal.
Villa defender Ridgewell, who had been sent off in his only other derby against West Brom last season, was yellow-carded after 13 minutes for holding back Heskey.
But after 20 minutes the travelling Villa contingent went wild with delight as Phillips marked his return by putting them ahead.
James Milner made a surging run down the right before finding Gareth Barry and his delightful flick gave Phillips the time to line up his left-footed shot.
The former Southampton striker drilled a low effort from 20 yards which Maik Taylor got a firm hand on but was unable to prevent from entering the corner of the net.
Pandiani had half a chance to pull City level but after finding the space on the left side of the area his eventual shot went harmlessly through to Thomas Sorensen.
Davis was prominent in midfield for Villa and he made a crucial challenge on Stephen Clemence at the expense of a corner following a flick on from Heskey.
Villa captain Mellberg became the second player to be booked after 31 minutes for a challenge on Clemence.
City suffered a setback after 37 minutes when Clemence limped out of the action with what appeared to be a calf injury and he was replaced by Jiri Jarosik.
Blues unsurprisingly made a half-time substitution with Pandiani, who had been totally out of sorts in the opening 45 minutes, replaced by Mikael Forssell.
The home side built up some attacking momentum and Thomas Sorensen tipped a downward header from Matthew Upson over the crossbar after he had met a corner from Pennant.
Wilfred Bouma put in a good tackle to halt Heskey as he lined up a shot following a nod down from Forssell as Birmingham started to exert heavy pressure.
Bruce threw Dunn into the fray with 24 minutes remaining and he nearly became an instant hero with Aaron Hughes throwing himself to block a close range shot which ricocheted out for a corner.
Dunn was also only a foot wide with a well-struck low drive from the edge of the Villa penalty area and the former England Under-21 captain then appealed in vain for a penalty after Bouma slid in.
