Villa suffer a freak result as despite an almost continual onslaught on a defensive Birmingham's goal, against a side set up to secure a clean sheet and a point, who find themselves with three goals and one of the surprise results of the season.

Villa play Birmingham tomorrow seeking to avenge the injustice.

Joe Mercer's Villa fail to score for the first time in ten and lose for the first time in four as they are harshly beaten at home by neighbours Birmingham make it ten wins, eleven draws and sixteen defeats in thirty seven League games under Mercer.