Aston Villa travel to St Andrew’s on Sunday to face bitter rivals Birmingham City, with Steve Bruce looking to get one over his former club.
The 55-year-old spent time with the Blues as both a player and a manager, enjoying great success during the latter after gaining promotion with them to the Premier League twice.
However, he’ll be out to plot their downfall on Sunday as he returns with rivals Villa, who have gone three games unbeaten since his appointment earlier this month.
Bruce has picked up two wins and a draw as he oversees a steady improvement, but all that will go out the window this weekend as Villa supporters will be desperate for a win over their arch rivals.
The visitors will look to in-form striker Jonathan Kodjia to extend his impressive goalscoring run as he leads the line with Jordan Ayew joining him in the attacking third, while Mile Jedinak, Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood will hope to win the midfield battle.
James Chester gets the captain’s armband with the on-going absence of Tommy Elphick due to injury, while there is a surprise on the bench as Gabby Agbonlahor could feature.
The former hero has had a tumultuous year or so following issues off the pitch and with his fitness levels, but he has history of scoring important goals in this fixture, and he will be desperate to get on and have his say if possible.
Team news: Here’s the first XI and subs for today’s derby. Come on you Lions! ??? #BIRAVL #AVFC pic.twitter.com/zOD3V78oYD
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) October 30, 2016