Gary Rowett believes Birmingham are 'far better' than expensive Aston Villa
Monday 31 October 2016 09:34, UK
Gary Rowett says an expensive Aston Villa needed to 'defend for their lives' to earn a point against Birmingham City.
Villa took the lead in the Second City derby through Gary Gardner in the 29th minute, but were pegged back by David Davis' second-half equaliser, and had to deal with sustained pressure in the latter stages at St Andrews to come away with a 1-1 draw.
Rowett's most expensive summer acquisition was the £1.4m Birmingham paid for Che Adams, and he believes his side - made up largely of free transfers - were the better team against their local rivals, who had a net spend of £34m in the summer.
"I've been asked if I was pleased with a point and you'd have to say not really," said Rowett. "I don't think it would be unfair to say they've been expensively assembled. We competed magnificently well and were the far better team.
"When it's cost you £78million to put a team together like that and they've had to defend for their lives against Birmingham, you know you've done a decent job."
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Rowett also revealed why he had a quiet word with Villa's £15m signing Jonathan Kodjia following the final whistle, and explained a gesture towards the away supporters.
"I had an itchy ear so I was just cupping my ear so I could alleviate the problem," Rowett said. "I got a bit bored with it so I decided to give them a bit back, which the Blues fans appreciated. I'm not sure the police would have done.
"I won't use the correct grammar but I told him (Kodjia) he was a big lad and it was about the sixth time he'd been on the floor. He could have walked off with sheer embarrassment at some point. I've got no complaints though."
Birmingham (7th) now sit eight places ahead of Aston Villa (15th) in the Sky Bet Championship though Villa are still undefeated under Bruce's reign.
