BIRMINGHAM STRUCK DOWN BY VILLA FAN DYER... AGAIN!
SO MUCH for polite celebrations. Lloyd Dyer, Brummie-born and briefly a player on City’s books, went back to his Aston Villa roots last night after proving that lightning can strike twice. The veteran winger, now plying his trade at the Pirelli Stadium, scored against Birmingham for the second season in a row. And how he enjoyed silencing the packed away following, arms raised first and then hands cupped to his ears as Burton turned a one-goal deficit into the narrowest of leads. Burton’s start had been miserable — one goal scored, two red cards and seven goals conceded. August had been an unforgiving month so far with injuries and suspensions too. The one statistic which the hardy Brewers fans would have hung on to was that last season Burton did the double over Birmingham. Just to reinforce the point, it was the home side who caused the first scare and right in front of the voluble travelling support too. Tom Naylor’s head connected with Matty Palmer’s corner but Birmingham goalkeeper David Stockdale’s reflexes kept the ball out. Their optimism was severely tested in a remarkably open game, however. Clayton Donaldson pinged the ball over from the right and Lukas Jutkiewicz’s downward header was turned in by Jacques Maghoma to give Birmingham the lead in the 29th minute. The Congolese winger used to play for Burton and his celebration was muted. It is the curse of every sporting Marvin to have the moniker ‘Marvelous’ added to their name, but Sordell had reason to live up to it as he equalised with a smart turn and shot after the break. Then it was Dyer’s turn to take centre stage.