Gabriel's late strike gives Villa derby delight

An own goal from Liam Ridgewell gave Villa the lead after 10 minutes but the home side equalised through Mikael Forssell in the second half.

Agbonlahor snatched the winner just three minutes from time, glancing in Ashley Young's cross, and had earlier cleared Ridgewell's effort off the line at the far post.

Mobbed: Gabriel Agbonlahor celebrates with his team-mates in front of the delirious away fans after scoring Villa's late winner

"I'm delighted to win the game, it could have gone either way and after Birmingham equalised for 10 or 15 minutes we were on the back foot," O'Neill told Sky Sports 1.

"The early exchanges went to Birmingham, we settled down and got the goal to go in front.

"We knew it was going to be see-saw and the game really opened up. They got the equaliser and the next goal was going to win the game and thankfully it was us.

"Agbonlahor's having a marvellous time and what I like most is he's prepared to work and try to get better in every department."

Agbonlahor added: "I've had a few good moments but it's one of the best.

"The win means a lot to my family and friends and it's nice to get the three points."

Equaliser: Forssell heads in for Birmingham to make it 1-1

Young added: "It's a local derby, it's a massive game for everybody at both clubs and to get the three points is what we needed.

"We always thought we could go on and get the second goal and we did."

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce felt his side should have had two penalties, one for handball by Zat Knight and the other when Daniel De Ridder looked to be brought down by Martin Laursen.

Instead referee Steve Bennett booked De Ridder for diving and Bruce said: "I was convinced the two were penalties and I've asked De Ridder and he is convinced there was contact.

"But, as usual (with) Mr Bennett we never seem to get the decisions.

"We need them to make decisions that are right. He's got them wrong. We were harshly done by.

"He has obviously not seen the first one which was handball, the second one he has to be convinced he has dived. He hasn't, he's been clipped and gone over.

"We've had to recover because that rocked us on the back foot. We couldn't wait to get them in at half-time and try something different and that worked for us.

"Overall the fair result was probably a draw but it wasn't to be."