Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 29, 2017 Che Adams of Birmingham City shoots at goal Action Images/Ed Sykes
LONDON (Reuters) - Aston Villa were twice denied by the woodwork late on as they were held to a 0-0 draw at struggling Birmingham City in the English Championship (second tier) on Sunday.
The "second city" derby was hardly a classic but came alive after the break with both sides having good chances to take the spoils at St Andrew's.
Sixth-placed Villa came closest to winning it when Keinan Davis's left-foot effort struck the underside of the bar before Jonathan Kodjia saw a right-foot curler rebound off the frame of the goal.
Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 29, 2017 Birmingham City's Cheick Ndoye in action with Aston Villa's Mile Jedinak Action Images/Matthew Childs
John Terry also went close for Villa while Birmingham's best chance came shortly after the interval when Spanish midfielder Jota blazed a shot wildly over the bar.
Villa occupy the final playoff spot while Birmingham edged two points above the relegation zone.
Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 29, 2017 Cheikh Ndoye of Birmingham City shoots at goal Action Images/Ed Sykes
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Clare Fallon)
Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 29, 2017 Jota of Birmingham City misses a chance to score Action Images/Ed Sykes Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 29, 2017 Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa shoots at goal Action Images/Ed Sykes Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 29, 2017 Birmingham City's Jota in action with Aston Villa's Alan Hutton Action Images/Matthew Childs
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