BIRMINGHAM City are this region’s only representative in the fifth round of the FA Cup and continue to confound the pundits and defy logical odds on their success considering their hand-to-mouth existence.

Their latest tremendous unbeaten run while scoring goals for fun speaks volumes of manager Chris Hughton, who after being appallingly treated at Newcastle has never been heard to voice a negative thought and deserves nothing less.

Such a scenario that of course is the true romance of football and Bluenoses everywhere must be enjoying a delicious irony in the flaky fortunes of their former manger Big Eck across the city at Villa Park.

His new team succeeds only in flattering to deceive, taking two steps forward and then three rapid steps back, quite literally against the Arsenal, and supporters remain sceptical and unconvinced.

I suppose one could say Villa’s season has now been polarised and like Manchester United they can now concentrate all their exertions on winning the Premiership.