Birmingham City have edged past Second City derby rivals Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.
The Blues struck first through Sebastian Larsson in the 12th minute when he converted from the penalty spot before Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor restored parity on the half-hour mark, finishing with aplomb after being found by Jonathan Hogg. It was Agbonlahor's third goal in three matches at St Andrews.
But Villa's joy was shattered with six minutes remaining when Nikola Zigic struck goalward and his shot deflected off Villa defender Luke Young and in for the winner.
Birmingham went through to the semi-finals of the cup for the first time in nine years but not before ugly scenes marred the encounter after the final whistle.
