Agbonlahor puts Redknapp’s rescue job under real threat
Harry Redknapp’s Houdini mission is likely to go to the final act after Gabby Agbonlahor rediscovered his habit of stealing local derby headlines. Agbonlahor’s first goal since February last year leaves Redknapp’s rescue job under threat, as he attempts to prevent Birmingham from dropping into League One.
The Villa striker has frequently been the scourge of Birmingham over the years and this was his fifth in all against Birmingham and ensured Redknapp is facing a nervy end to his three-game assignment.
Chants of “Sacked in the morning” echoed around Villa Park towards the end of this latest Second City dust-up, with the defeat leaving Birmingham just two points above the relegation zone.
Redknapp will face Huddersfield at home on Saturday before a potentially crucial final day at Bristol City and though there were encouraging signs here, time is running out. “We didn’t deserve to lose, our goalkeeper didn’t even get his gloves dirty,” Redknapp said. “I’ve seen enough here to think that we can stay up. We can’t play like Barcelona but I couldn’t have asked for more effort than they gave.
“We can’t sit here and say Villa were good – Steve [Bruce] has got a lot of work to do, hasn’t he? I didn’t know Gabby hadn’t scored for so long. That should keep him happy for another year.
“We’ve got two tough games but we need to try and win one. We’ll pick ourselves up and go again. I’ve got another two weeks but I’ll enjoy them whatever happens.” This was a typically frenetic return to the dugout for the 70-year-old, who inherited a team which had won only two games from 24 during Gianfranco Zola’s bewildering regime. Redknapp threw out Zola’s back three and wing-backs idea, introducing a rigid back four, with lone striker Lukas Jutkiewicz the focal point of any ambition Birmingham showed going forward. In a game low on quality and goalscoring chances, Birmingham had the first opportunity seven minutes before half-time and it was a miss which proved costly. Jutkiewicz ambled into the penalty area and his cross presented Che Adams with a simple finish but the £1.3million signing hooked his shot over the bar.
With the game threatening to flatline, the introduction of Agbonlahor in the second half finally provided the inspiration for Villa. The 30-year-old provided the crucial contribution 22 minutes from time, turning in the area to put away the loose ball after Birmingham failed to clear Henri Lansbury’s corner.
It was Villa’s only chance of the game but a hugely significant moment for Agbonlahor, also providing a fitting tribute to the memory of former defender Ugo Ehiogu.
Steve Bruce, a former Birmingham manager, said: “Five goals against Birmingham will take some beating and is quite special. Gabby has lifted the crowd and given the supporters what they want to see.
“He’s had his critics but since I’ve been here, he’s been terrific. He’s got a big summer ahead and he’s got to try and earn a contract next year. He’s been the difference in probably the worst game of football of the season.
“I hope Birmingham stay up, the Second City needs a derby. If anyone can keep them up it will be Harry, he’s got off his armchair to give them a hand.”