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.