Steve Bruce: No room for Birmingham City sympathy from Aston Villa

Blues sit just three points above the Championship drop zone after a run of just two wins in 24 games, which led to the resignation of boss Gianfranco Zola on Monday night.

Former Tottenham and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was yesterday announced as the Italian's replacement. Bruce spent six years in charge at St Andrew's, twice winning promotion to the Premier League.

But his sole focus on Sunday will be getting a win which would nudge his old club closer to the trapdoor.

"All my thoughts are with the club I manage now," he said. "For the city itself, of course (it's sad)."

Villa themselves head into the game on the back of two straight defeats but Bruce insists his players will need no reminding of how important Sunday's game is.

He continued: "I don't think there will be a problem motivating the players. It will be about the ones who keep their heads.

"It's a fantastic derby, it's got a fantastic edge to it and of course with the result on Monday it adds more spice to it.

"It's a great game for us towards the end of the season. There's all to play for. I'm looking forward to it immensely.

"There's nothing better than a Blues-Villa derby. I can't wait."

Left-back Neil Taylor is facing a fight to recover from a groin injury in time for the derby showdown. The Wales international missed the Easter weekend defeats to Reading and Fulham and Bruce admitted it was "touch and go" as to whether he will be ready to face Blues.

Winger Andre Green is almost certain to miss out, however, after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

"I can't see him being involved. Not in such a big game like that," said Bruce.

Villa are meanwhile weighing up whether to appeal the red card received by top scorer Jonathan Kodjia at Fulham. The striker is facing a three-game ban which will see him miss the rest of the season.