‘Love your neighbour’ reads the sign on the billboard outside the church on Witton Lane, which is just walking distance from Villa Park. Birmingham City against Aston Villa provides tension and drama amongst other things, but ‘love’ certainly isn’t on the list for the two sides supporters and teams when they face their cross-town counterparts.
The Second City derby sees an added police presence and a midday kick-off, in a bid to avoid the scenes that have frequented the fixture in the past. It’s more known for its trouble off the pitch than any type of stylish football on it.
‘The Battle of Rocky Lane’ before the first league derby for 15 years in 2002 saw hooligan factions clash. In 2007, 20 police officers were injured and then in 2010 it was described as the worst scenes for ‘25 years.’
“It sometimes leads to a few wannabes who will try to take the stage and start getting a little bit excited,” said former Aston Villa and Birmingham City defender Curtis Davies to The Sportsman.
“It’s not something we want to see in football, it’s best that the entertainment stays on the pitch.” On the field, there has been plenty of flash-points over the years, with a fearsome match in 1983 and Dion Dublin head-butting Robbie Savage the most notorious.
“You just felt how important it was to each manager, as their fans would be looking to them and there’s a good six months before they would meet again. You just got this feeling that on the day and the importance of it anything can happen,” adds now Derby County centre-back Davies.
In 2002, it did happen, as Villa goalkeeper Peter Enkleman failed to control a throw-in and allowed the ball to roll under his foot and into the net. “I was in the stands, as I was injured,” said former Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger to The Sportsman.
“People told me not to go because it was too dangerous, and I couldn’t get it. I grew up with the Bayern (Munich) and 1860 derby and it wasn’t dangerous to go, there was a rivalry, but it wasn’t dangerous.
“So, I decided to go and watch the game in the stands. It was a shock, a big shock to lose 3-0 to them.”
Hitzlsperger scored a fantastic strike against Birmingham, so what’s it like to do that in a Second City derby? “Priceless, just priceless,” continues the 52-time capped German.
“I enjoy watching that goal, over and over again. Yes, maybe there are one or two that don’t really get it, but it was so much talked about.
“For me, it was a dream to score in the derby and win the game. Scoring that goal was unbelievable, I had my family over and it was a Sunday midday kick-off.”
Last season saw Harry Redknapp’s return to the English game after two years, but it was Gabby Agbonlahor that made the headlines when he scored to give Villa a 1-0 win. Both Steve Bruce and Redknapp cracked jokes in the post-match press conference about the striker only making the effort for this fixture.
“These games stand out. You don’t want to lose, but first of all you want to win,” said Hitzlsperger.
The success of London, Manchester, and Liverpool clubs in the Premier League makes it remarkable that the second biggest city in the country now has a derby that takes place outside the top flight. However, the poor management of the two clubs has ensured that it won’t be the case anytime soon.
