Agbonlahor accused of Birmingham City lie on talkSPORT, Steve Bruce hits back
Steve Bruce has hit back at Aston Villa icon Gabby Agbonlahor for claims he made about Birmingham City.
The Villans’ arch-rivals have not featured in the Premier League since they were relegated in the 2010-11 campaign.
However, they are a step closer to returning to the top flight after securing the League One title with six matches to go.
Agbonlahor makes Birmingham Premier League claim
The Blues are still a long way away from regaining their top tier status as the Championship is notoriously hard to get out of.
However, Agbonlahor admitted that he would like to see Chris Davies’ side back in the big time as he misses the second city derby.
Speaking on talkSPORT (17 April, 7:44 am), he said: “Whenever I get asked, I say that I want them back in the Prem.”
Bruce, who has managed both clubs, responded saying: “No you don’t, you don’t, you are lying.”
The ex-Villa man replied: “I want the derby games, Brucey, but I don’t think I’d be welcome to do them for the radio and TV at St Andrew’s would I?”
Aston Villa should want Birmingham back in the top flight
While it is great to see your biggest rival in a miserable situation and in a lower league, it takes away derby matches and they come around every once in a blue moon.
The sides last faced off in the second tier in March 2019, with the Villa Park outfit coming away with a 1-0 victory on the road.
| Match | Date | Result |
| Aston Villa v Birmingham | April 2017 | 1-0 (W) |
| Birmingham v Aston Villa | October 2017 | 0-0 (D) |
| Aston Villa v Birmingham | February 2018 | 2-0 (W) |
| Aston Villa v Birmingham | November 2018 | 4-2 (W) |
| Birmingham v Aston Villa | March 2019 | 0-1 (W) |
If the Blues can continue their remarkable rise under Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady, they could meet Unai Emery’s side on a regular basis again.
That would be great for football in the city, and also for Villa as they would have two derbies rather than just the one against Wolves that they currently have, as West Brom are also out of the top division.
Even if the Villans’ rivals do make it back to the promised land, it is unlikely that they will catch up anytime soon as the B6 outfit are a Champions League club and could be back in the competition once again next season.