Agbonlahor: We know what Birmingham City v Aston Villa means to fans

Sep 11 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“It’s a massive thing for them. The two games are the highlight of their football season.

“But the players take it very seriously, too. We know the importance and we know what it means to the fans but it’s about professional pride for us too.

“The lads have played in different derbies across the country and some across the world so we know what they mean.’’

Agbonlahor reckons his late winner on enemy territory after Mikael Forssell cancelled out an own goal by Villa old-boy Liam Ridgewell eclipsed the 5-1 victory on home soil.

“It was a massive game for me because I had never played in a derby match before,” he added.

“The atmosphere was tremendous and to score the winner so late was a really terrific moment.

“It was great to go and celebrate with the fans too – you could see what it meant to them and hopefully they realised what it meant to the players.

“From a personal point of view, I’d probably pick the 2-1 at St Andrew’s over the 5-1 at Villa Park.”