Gabriel Agbonlahor scored three minutes before the final whistle as Aston Villa emerged victorious in a thrilling clash against Birmingham City on Sunday.

Villa had taken an early lead thanks to an own goal by Liam Ridgewell before Birmingham deservedly pulled level in the second half through Mikael Forssell. The hosts could have taken the lead with time running out but Agbonlahor cleared the ball off the line before popping at the other end to head Villa in front with just 3 minutes remaining.

After an eventless first few minutes of the game, Villa took the lead when Stilian Petrov crossed inside the area and the ball hit Ridgewell's knee before rolling into the Birmingham goal. The visitors pressed forward to kill of the game and should have doubled the lead through John Carew or Agbonlahor but Maik Taylor was present on both occasions to pull of great saves.

Birmingham had a genuine penalty appeal turned down when Daniel De Ridder was fouled inside the area by Martin Laursen but referee Steve Bennett dismissed the appeals and instead dished out a harsh yellow card for De Ridder for diving.

Steve Bruce introduced Forssell at the start of the second half and the move paid rich dividends as Birmingham drew level in the 62nd minute. De Ridder received the ball on the right flank and the Dutch midfielder released a perfect cross inside the area for Forssell to head home the equalizer.

The goal seemed to have provided the necessary spark for Birmingham as the hosts pressed forward in search of the winning goal. Cameron Jerome could have put Birmingham in the lead a minute later but his shot was saved brilliantly by Carson.

Ridgewell seemed to have made amends for his earlier mistake when he headed the ball towards the target only to see Agbonlahor clear the ball off the line. The English striker then found himself free at the other end to flick his header past Taylor to provide a dramatic ending to an entertaining match.