Aston Villa...0 Birmingham...2SOCCER: Somewhere amid the chaos of this blazing occasion, lost between violent skirmishes in the stands and a flurry of red cards on the pitch, Birmingham won a football match and eased their relegation worries. This morning, the repercussions of that win will be felt.

Late goals from Stan Lazaridis, nodding in Jeff Kenna's cross, and Geoff Horsfield after another horrendous derby error from Peter Enckelman in the Aston Villa goal gifted City their first league double over their rivals in 26 years.

As if to add spice where none extra was needed, the goalscorer Horsfield played the last few minutes in goal when Nico Vaesen twisted his knee and City found they had used all their substitutes.

But items like that went by the board in the vitriolic frenzy. With Dion Dublin already dismissed for a head-butt on Robbie Savage, Joey Gudjonsson's two-footed lunge on Matthew Upson saw the home side reduced to nine after a 21-man brawl.

Savage, threatened by a supporter who charged on to the pitch, was substituted for his own good before the end with City's delirious fans bouncing gleefully in the Witton Road end.

Republic of Ireland defender Jeff Kenna, an experienced head amongst the chaos, collected the man of the match award for his display.

ASTON VILLA: Enckelman, Samuel, Johnsen, Mellberg, Wright (Crouch 90), Gudjonsson, Hendrie, Barry, Vassell, Dublin, Moore (Hadji 45). Subs Not Used: Hitzlsperger, Postma, Edwards. Sent Off: Dublin (51), Gudjonsson (81). Booked: Gudjonsson.

BIRMINGHAM: Vaesen, Kenna, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Damien Johnson, Savage (Carter 83), Clemence, Lazaridis (Devlin 75), Dugarry, Morrison (Horsfield 72). Subs Not Used: Bennett, John. Booked: Cunningham, Devlin. Goals: Lazaridis 74, Horsfield 77.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).