Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett has slammed Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodija as an embarrassment after Saturday's fiery derby, with strong words published by The Daily Star.

The Ivory Coast international was given a hounding for spending too much time on the floor and Rowett was seen having words with the striker during the match - and he didn't hold back with his comments after the final whistle.

Rowett said: “I just said to him, ‘You’re a big lad and this is the sixth time you’ve been on the floor. He could have walked off with sheer embarrassment at one point, but hey, I’d do exactly the same.”

27-year-old Kodija, who arrived at Villa Park in August for a £11m fee, has scored four goals in his nine Championship appearances for the club so far and has hit his form under new manager Bruce, scoring in three of the four games since the former Birmingham boss' move to Villa Park.

Bruce came close to securing all three points on the day, following Gary Gardner's first ever goal for the club, but David Davis' equaliser 19 minutes from time ensured the points would be shared.

The result continued Bruce's unbeaten run in charge of Villa, although it ended his charge of consecutive victories, whilst Birmingham need to improve having won just two of their last seven in the Championship.

Birmingham have the advantage over their rivals in the league though as they sit on 24 points, just outside the play off places, whilst Villa are six points behind and sixteenth in the table.

Rowett's men face another tough test this weekend against promotion rivals Huddersfield, before clashing with Bristol City and Brentford after the international break, whilst Bruce will be looking to continue his unbeaten run with fixtures against Blackburn Rovers, Brighton and Cardiff.

Blues/Villa fans.. What do you make of Rowett's words? Let us know below!