GABBY SPOILS HARRY’S PLAN
EVERYEVERY KICK, KICK, EVERY EVERY GOAL, GOAL, EVERY EVERY GAME GAME But Redknapp’s certain he can plot another escape act
HARRY REDKNAPP hopes his Birmingham players have turned a corner – despite losing at arch rivals Aston Villa.
Redknapp, 70, was back in the dugout for the first time since February 2015 after taking over from Gianfranco Zola.
The former Spurs chief was unable to stop the Blues failing to win for the 10th game in a row and they are just two points clear of the drop zone with two games left.
But the veteran boss said: “I’m very encouraged. When you look at it and we’d won two out of 24, it scares you to death.
“But we’ve worked hard on the training ground. I thought they carried it out to a tee, we just didn’t get the break when we needed it.
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“We didn’t deserve to lose. They didn’t have another shot in the second half – I don’t think our keeper got his gloves dirty.”
Birmingham players couldn’t adapt to Zola’s style of play and Redknapp insists his tactics aren’t going to be pretty.
He said: “We can’t play like Barcelona, we’re not capable, so we decided to get it forward, hit the front man and feed off him.”
Gabby Agbonlahor, 31, came off the bench in the 59th minute to settle the derby on 68 minutes, rifling home the only chance after a game of head tennis from Henri Lansbury’s corner. It was his first goal since February 2016 in his first game since January 21 after a hamstring injury.
But it was the Brummie’s fifth goal in 10 appearances against the Blues.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce said: “We’ve taken away the stigma that the players don’t care, they’re not interested and they’re not bothered.
“He came on just at the right time. We needed him because it lifted the crowd – in his first two minutes he went roaring into a challenge.
“You can talk about tactics but supporters want to see exactly what he did, in a derby match where it means something.
“He’s had his critics, but since I’ve been here in five months, he’s been terrific.”
Agbonlahor has shed a stone and a half but only has a year left on his contract.
Bruce added: “He’s got a big summer ahead of him now – he can’t just prepare all winter for Birmingham.”
Redknapp added: “Gabby? He did well. That will keep him happy for another year, won’t it?”