Birmingham City and Aston Villa shared the spoils in Sunday’s Second City Derby, playing out a 1-1 draw in the Sky Bet Championship.
Gary Gardner’s first Villa goal came midway through the first half, while David Davis levelled matters in the second period to earn City a point.After a lively start for the hosting Blues, which saw Clayton Donaldson waste a number of good chances, Gardner’s thumping header put Steve Bruce’s side ahead against his former employers.
In what was his 28th appearance, boyhood Villa fan Gardner ran the length of the field to celebrate with the travelling 1,988 Claret and Blue supporters.
Despite trailing, Birmingham started the second half in the same fashion as the first, but had to wait until the 71st minute to get their reward.
And it was midfielder Davis who wrote his name onto the scoresheet, drilling low to find the net.
Blues had other scoring chances, largely via the impressive Jacques Maghoma, while Villa could’ve stole it through Jonathan Kodjia, but neither side could find a winner and that saw Bruce maintain his unbeaten start to life as Aston Villa manager.
The point lifted his men up to 15th, while Gary Rowett’s Birmingham are seventh, just outside the Play-Off places.
Table: Click here to see the Sky Bet Championship table