Aston Villa’s Neil Taylor has admitted he underestimated the size of the Second-City derby, after getting his first taste of action against Birmingham City on Sunday, reports the Birmingham Mail.

Taylor recovered from injury, which kept him out over the Easter period, to return to the Villa back-four against their fierce rivals, helping Steve Bruce’s side back to winning ways.

Gabby Agbonlahor’s goal gave Villa a 1-0 victory, and helped to end a three-match winless streak.

Reflecting on his first Second-City derby since joining Villa in January, Taylor said: "I don’t think, maybe, I properly realised how big a derby it was until I played in it.

"To hear the atmosphere here on a day like that was something special. To get the all-important win was the main thing.

"I came here to Aston Villa because I know it’s a massive club but I hadn’t experienced a day like that since I’ve been here.”

Sunday’s victory moved Bruce’s side back into the top-half of the Sky Bet Championship table, and the Villa fans will be hopeful they can end a disappointing season, positively in the coming weeks.

Despite not challenging for promotion, Villa have significantly improved in recent months, showing they could be serious contenders in 12-months time.

Bruce’s side will be looking to finish the season with a flourish, when they face Blackburn Rovers and Brighton and Hove Albion in their remaining fixtures.

Villa fans… Was Sunday’s atmosphere the best yet this season? Let us know in the comments!