Ugo Ehiogu: Aston Villa fans remember former defender ahead of Birmingham City clash

The 44-year-old, who also featured for West Brom and Middlesbrough during his playing career passed away this week after collapsing at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground, where he worked as a coach.

Ahead of the derby, Villa and Birmingham City fans performed a rousing minute's applause for the talismanic defender, with each team also sporting black arm bands in his memory.

Supporters also joined in a further, impromptu minute's applause in the 44th minute, while supporters held up a banner in tribute to the club's former star.

Ehiogu began his career as a trainee at West Brom before he was taken to Villa by Ron Atkinson in 1991.

He made more than 300 appearances for Villa between 1991 and 2000 and was part of the team which won the League Cup in 1996.

He had recently been coaching Tottenham's under-23s and was taken to hospital last Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's training ground.

Villa boss Steve Bruce and Ian Taylor, Ehiogu's former team-mate, penned tributes in the matchday programme.

"We're all devastated by the news and it rocked everybody at the training ground on Friday morning because it was so unexpected," said Bruce. "He was a typical centre-back, took no nonsense and he was a very, very good player and a decent human being. He was building a name for himself as a coach, too.

"We're all saddened and shocked by this dreadful news and it puts the game into perspective."

Taylor wrote: "I was devastated when I heard the sad news that Ugo had passed away on Friday morning.

"Ugo was not just a fantastic team-mate but a friend. RIP Ugo. You'll be missed."

Knee injuries plagued the final years of Ehiogu's career at the Riverside Stadium.

He joined Leeds on loan in 2006, and also had short spells with Rangers and Sheffield United before he retired from football in 2009.

He leaves behind his wife Gemma, and a son.