Villa's first earns Derby a draw at Birmingham, two games unbeaten and an excellent debut for Stubbs, what is the world coming to...

St Andrews not the most attractive of trips, whether it be the cold with ice swept of the pitch still remaining, the "slit your throat" gestures from the kiddywinkles in the Kop Corner Lower Playpen or the objects raining down on the travelling fans. It's a sad reflection on the vast majority of superb Brummies who support their team that these idiots are allowed to continue,. It's even sadder that the police have little presence other than a line of officers with riot shields standing downstairs as we go for a half time cuppa, less than ten fans per copper too.

Similarly, the game was not one for football purists, Derby route one football goalkeeper to attack bypassing midfield, Birmingham play more on the deck with Kapo a real handful as he runs time after time at the Rams rearguard.

Stubbs on his debuts, first touch a half hearted clearance that almost lets the Blues in, we groan. We needn't have, as our new defender make only one other mistake in the whole ninety minutes, a free kick misplaced into touch. Beside him Moore is solid, Edworthy out of position copes but it is Leacock who shines as a right full back.

Birmingham though are battlers, O'Connor upends Moore in the air and McFadden clashes with Stubbs, bruisers all four.

The home side have all the chances, Carroll saves from Kapo, from a Larsson free kick and watches as McFadden heads over.

Rare counter attacks created by Fagan fizzle out with poor final balls, you couldn't fault the effort put in by the former Blues star, just the quality in his final cross. Another former Blue, Savage was roundly booed by the locals at every opportunity, it sparked support from those travelling and possibly did more to enamour him to Rams fans than anything else. It's a strange world at times.

A goal disallowed for offside and we trundle to half time as Ref Walton books Larsson for Dissent and Robert for a foul by the byeline.

Second half and we compete better, a Robert corner works its way to Miller who hits the post, Earnshaw running in is correctly adjudged to be offside as he tries to turn the rebound home.

Edworthy was bundled into the advertising boards with a robust challenge for Larsson and as the full back regained his wind, Walton booked him for timewasting adding insult to injury.

Leacock too saw yellow as Barnes came on for the generally ineffective Robert. Moments later, Earnshaw who had worked his little cotton socks off all afternoon was replaced by Villa.

Moore clearly carrying a knock and with a head injury from the first half struggled on for fully ten minutes before limping off to be replaced by Todd.

A catalyst of change, no sooner was Todd on the pitch the Blues scored, high angled ball in, Larsson did superbly well to pull the ball down behind Edworthy and volley home, execution our little friend in the Kop Corner would have been delighted with.

Miller caught a Birmingham forward in full flow running towards goal, an intentional foul and a deserved yellow followed.

Salvation arrived for the Rams. A long ball down the wing was chased and recovered by Barnes slid back perfectly to Leacock on the right wing, one touch then a cross. Back post, Villa sneakes in front of his marker, a header down, up onto the post and in. 1,500 fans celebrate along with the those wearing all black on the pitch.

And we nearly snatch a winner, intellegent run by Barnes into the box one on one with Maik Taylor, a swerving shot unleased from the outside of the boot arcs away from the keeper. Taylor full stretch plucks it out of the air as you might take an apple from a tree.

A two one victory though would surely have been unjust. Maybe we should save that for next time.

Till then.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson (Zarate 76), Johnson, Muamba, Kapo, O'Connor, McFadden.
Subs not used: Doyle, Forssell, Jerome, Parnaby.
Booked: Larsson.
Goals: Larsson 68.

Derby County: Carroll 7, Leacock 8, Moore 6 (Todd 4), Stubbs 7, Edworthy 6, Fagan 6, Ghaly 5, Savage 5, Robert 4 (Barnes 6), Earnshaw 6 (Villa 6), Miller 6.
Subs not used: Price, Teale.
Booked: Robert, Edworthy, Leacock, Miller, Savage.
Goals: Villa 89.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Attendance: 25,924.

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