Birmingham pulled off yet another good result after keeping a grip on the lead at Everton in the FA Cup.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has confirmed his interest in Glasgow Rangers striker Kris Boyd and is close to striking a deal with Villa for Craig Gardner.

Wolves have been handed a kind draw at home to Crystal Palace while Albion could face promotion rivals Newcastle in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Birmingham’s five match winning streak was ended at at Goodsion Park but Blues still emerged with another precious point at Everton.

Substitute John Carew came off the bench to salvage a point for Villa as both teams finished with 10 men in a closely-fought contest at Goodison Park.

Finding the net was child’s play for Steve Sidwell at Everton a year ago – now the goal-hungry Villa midfielder hopes to repeat the feat.

Villa manager Martin O’Neill has hailed Nigel Reo-Coker’s response to their training ground bust-up and insisted – ‘we have moved on.’

Villa manager Martin O’Neill has backed Emile Heskey to “roar back” this season after the striker staked a strong claim for a Premier League recall at Everton.

Chief Sports Writer Martin Swain pinpoints the here and now significance of the Villa and Wolves derby ahead of the tussle at Molineux.

Villa favourite Ian Taylor predicts a tough derby against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday – but can see only one winner.