Steve Bruce hails Gabriel Agbonlahor's derby day impact for Aston Villa

The 30-year-old scored his first goal in 14 months - and his fifth in derby matches against Blues - to edge Bruce's men to a 1-0 victory at Villa Park.

Agbonlahor netted just nine minutes after being introduced from the bench just prior to the hour mark, sparking a Villa team who had failed to register an attempt on goal at that point.

And Bruce said: "Tactical genius wasn't it?!

"I said to people when I saw him walk past in the car park at 10 past eight 'oh, oh, he's trying his best to be fit'.

"Just at the right time we needed him because it lifted the crowd - in his first two minutes he went roaring into a challenge.

"You can talk about tactics and this, that and the other but supporters want to see exactly what he did, in a derby match, where it means something.

"He's had his critics and his criticisms, but since I've been here in five months, he's been terrific.

"It's a shame he injured his hamstring against Preston because he was looking in really good nick again.

"He's got a big summer ahead of him now – he can't just prepare all winter for Birmingham.

"But certainly his record is incredible. I don't know what the record is for goals against each other but I think his might take some beating.

"Five goals is quite special and of course it was a winner.

"It was a scrappy goal to say the least but what a great finish – he turned, got it out of his feet and put it into the top bin.

"Good on him."

The result moved Villa back into the top half of the Championship table but leaves Blues just two points above the relegation zone, with two games to play.

Bruce, who spent six years in charge at St Andrews, is hopeful his former team will be able to beat the drop.

"I hope for the city (they stay up) because we want to see occasions like this," he said.

"It was absolutely fabulous. The Second City needs a derby and let's be fair, we should be in the other league, but we're not and this is where we find ourselves.

"But in terms of a spectacle everybody loves it, it's the worst game of football of the season – the ball was screaming at one point, 'please don't bash me again' but 40,000 people have gone home happy and it doesn't matter how the team played."

Che Adams had the best chance of a poor opening half for Blues but skied over from close range. David Davis also brought a save out of Villa keeper Sam Johnstone during the second half.

Blues boss Harry Redknapp said: "We didn't deserve to lose the game. They've not had a shot second half. I don't think our keeper got his glove dirty.

"It was a scrambled goal and that was it. But other than that, they haven't created anything.

"I'm very encouraged. When you look at it and they've won two out of 24, you come in and it scares you to death.

"But we've worked hard this week on the training ground. I thought they carried it out to a T, just didn't get the break when we needed it."