Gabriel double act hands the spoils to Villans and breaks Bruce's heart

The England Under 21 striker was at the centre of the two incidents that ultimately settled this feisty encounter, irrespective of Steve Bruce's rant at referee Steve Bennett after the final whistle.

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Get up man: Gareth Barry accuses De Ridder of diving

The nerves of both sets of supporters were being stretched to the limit when Agbonlahor was involved in game-turning moments at either end of the pitch.

First, he denied Liam Ridgewell what would have been a perfect ending to a day that had started out in such gut-wrenching fashion for the Birmingham skipper.

Agbonlahor stuck to his defensive duties to clear Ridgewell's goalbound header off the line with the slightest of touches.

Earlier, former Villa centre half Ridgewell had hung his head when he deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper to give Martin O'Neill's side a ninth-minute lead from their first attack of note.

That was one defining moment. The other arrived 60 seconds later.

Another glancing touch by Agbonlahor from Ashley Young's left-wing centre earned O'Neill a victory that had appeared beyond his grasp for long periods of the second half.

Agbonlahor, 21, added another impressive scalp to those he has collected this season. So far, he has breached the defences of Manchester United and Chelsea and surely it will not be long before Steve McClaren, or whoever occupies the England manager's chair, bows to the inevitable and gives the young forward his chance at a higher level.

O'Neill said: "There's no second year syndrome with him. He's got a wonderful attitude to the game. He keeps improving. I'm very pleased with him and I'm pleased for him. It was a great goal to win the game but it's no fluke because he's working hard."

Goals that settle derby matches three minutes from the end are bound to upset the losing manager. TV evidence suggested Bruce had cause to criticise referee Bennett. But to cite the official alone suggested a touch of sour grapes.

Despite the penalty appeals, Birmingham were fortunate to be within sight of Villa at half-time. Maik Taylor saved with his legs from the recalled John Carew and Agbonlahor saw a late effort go to waste as Birmingham floundered.

Bruce has often called his derbyday selections correctly but his decision yesterday to play Wilson Palacios backfired as the hosts struggled for any shape, fluency and rhythm.

In fairness, Birmingham had looked bright when Villa took the lead after a corner was cleared and returned wide to Stilian Petrov. Olivier Kapo's challenge was weak, allowing the Bulgarian to push him aside before sliding the ball across goal. It bounced up off the turf and Johann Djourou shaped to intervene.

Ridgewell obviously felt his defensive partner was going to clear but the Swiss stopped, the ball hit Ridgewell on the thigh and rebounded into the net.

Bruce's rant at the referee over the ball that struck Zat Knight's arm after Cameron Jerome tried to flick it past him did have a point, given that Premier League officials these days appear to give handball irrespective of any intent.

And Martin Laursen did make contact with Daniel de Ridder after he had cut inside Wilfred Bouma too easily. Bruce's anger was only intensified by Bennett booking De Ridder for diving.

The half-time introduction of Mikael Forssell was the key to a Birmingham revival. The Finn created space magnificently as De Ridder played a first-time ball across goal, his header thundering past Scott Carson.

Bruce said: "I couldn't wait to get them in at the break. We were definitely better after that. We should have defended better for their first goal but I thought of the two we looked more likely to win it."

Derby delight: Gabriel Agbonlahor is mobbed after scoring the late winner

Forssell's goal, greeted by what O'Neill called "the loudest roar I've heard for some time", was the spark for Birmingham's best spell. The volume would have increased still further had Jerome smashed a shot past Carson. However, at the other end, Nigel Reo-Coker sidefooted over when glory beckoned.

It looked to be Ridgewell's day when he rose to greet Seb Larsson's corner. He connected cleanly but Agbonlahor ruined what would have undoubtedly been a lap of honour.

Instead, it was left to Agbonlahor to have the final say. It was a wonderful moment for a man who is coming into his own. He stopped Villa losing and then carried them to victory. For someone born in the Villa stronghold of Erdington — only six miles from St Andrew's — it could not get any better.

Just how local was the derby?

Just two locals were on display yesterday, both playing for the visitors. Gabriel Agbonlahor was born in Erdington, while Zat Knight, a Villa fan who has recently returned to the club from Fulham, hails from Solihull.