Stern John snatched a dramatic injury-time equaliser to rescue a point for Birmingham and complete a spectacular comeback at Villa Park.

Aston Villa looked set to celebrate their first Premiership victory over Blues after cruising into a two-goal lead through Darius Vassell and Thomas Hitzlsperger.

For the best part of an hour the visitors were outplayed and, more surprisingly, outfought by David O'Leary's team.

But the introduction of Clinton Morrison and David Dunn - while Villa lost the influential Gareth Barry through injury - changed the course of the game.

Villa were hemmed back into their own half with Mikael Forssell, who had previously been starved of any service, looking a threat with Morrison by his side.

A goal from Forssell set up a thrilling finale and with referee Jeff Winter looking at his watch in came John to break the hearts of the Villa fans.

Vassell should have killed the game off in the first half when he could easily have registered a hat-trick and City were caused all kinds of problems down the flanks by Barry and Nolberto Solano.

But Bruce's team have a never-say-die spirit about them and they are now unbeaten in eight league and cup games.