2-3

In the end it came down to commitment: Birmingham City beat Aston Villa 3-2 at St. Andrew’s because they had more men who desperately wanted to win.

Villa played the better, more pleasing football, and looked the team with a brighter future, but players like Chris Nicholl, Andy Gray, lan Robson, Frank Carrodus and Dennis Mortimer were sometimes let down by others.

Blues, on the other hand, had everybody battling and while a draw or Villa victory would have been a fair result on the run of play Blues deserved a reward for their effort.

Nobody typified this more than Howard Kendall, who splashed his skill with sweat and had the satisfaction of making his team’s 84th minute winner which was flicked into the net by Trevor Francis.

It was a dramatic end to a superb derby, a match which was intense. fluctuating and thrilling.

Blues led three times, through Terry Hibbitt, his first goal for the club. Kenny Burns, back after suspension and in the attack, and finally, Francis.

Villa equalised first through the courageous Gray and secondly through a Ray Graydon penalty. On Saturday it looked harsh but watching it on television yesterday confirmed to me that referee Clive White was correct. Joe Gallagher’s foot shot out and brought down Graydon after the ball had gone.

It was a game of many chances. far more than are usual in derbies.

Andy Needham hugely miskicked the chance to make a name for himself from six yards out; Chico Hamilton was four yards nearer the goal when he missed his opportunity.

Those were the best but there were others as both defences showed their failings.

Blues. at least, had excuses with Gallagher struggling with a back injury and Archie Styles suffering from a groin strain.

Villa’s manager, Ron Saunders. summed up his team’s patchwork display by wondering how Blues could win when “they were only upfield twice in the second half.” adding:

“We had so much of the ball that my goalkeeper. John Burridge was catching cold.”

Then he answered himself by saying that his team “gave” Blues three goals, an unspoken admission that it must be strengthened if Villa are to get anywhere near the top next season.

But at least Villa showed with players like Gray, John Gidman, Brian Little, John Burridge and Mortimer they can only improve whereas Blues showed just how difficult their manager Willie Bell’s task will be next season whether they are relegated or not. He has no money apparently, or at least not enough, and in attack only the abiding brilliance of Francis. He wants away., of course, and after scoring the goal which seems likely to keep Blues in the First Division he deserves his transfer. It may be irreverent but I couldn’t help thinking what a good forward line Francis, Gray and Little would make.