Zat Knight was convinced Villa would win the Second City derby but the central defender massively underestimated his attacking team mates.

Villa fan Knight predicted a 2-0 win against Alex McLeish's St Andrew's strugglers and was delighted to be proved wrong - even if he was disappointed not to keep a clean-sheet.

The former Fulham man said: "It was amazing and a great feeling. I knew it was going to be a tough game and I'd been thinking about the game all week.

"A few of my friends are Birmingham City fans, and I told them we were going to keep a clean sheet and win 2-0.

"We didn't keep a clean sheet and I am disappointed about that, but to get five goals - making it 15 in three games - is amazing."

Knight was full of praise for two-goal hero John Carew and added: "He is a man mountain. He is strong and quick and he has the qualities to be a world class striker. We are lucky to have him.

"When he plays in that free role, and when his spirit is high, he showed against Newcastle a couple of months ago how good he can be.

"Hopefully he can carry this on for the rest of the season. I played against him when I was at Fulham at the start of the season and he was a handful then."

Looking to the rest of the season, Knight is convinced Villa can overhaul Sunday's opponents Everton in the race for UEFA Cup football.

He concluded: "We had a blip and have worked to put things right. We believe that we can get that fifth spot. Everton have got some tough games, including against us, and we are going there on a high.

"We just need to get a clean sheet because we can always score at the other end. Fifteen goals in three games - we've even shocked ourselves - but we have to keep rolling with it."

Tune into AVTV Online for much more reaction to yesterday's triumph.