Former Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry has opened up on the anguish he suffered when playing against the club's arch rivals Birmingham City back in the 2002 Second City Derby, during an interview with the Birmingham Mail on their Claret and Blue Podcast. 

Of course that particular clash will be instantly remembered by supporters on both sides of the city for the gaff that occurred when Olof Mellberg's throw-in rolled under the feet of Villa goalie Peter Enckelman, thus putting the Blues 2-0 up on the night.

The hosts eventually ran out 3-0 winners on the night thanks to Geoff Horsfield's strike, which sealed a memorable victory for the Blue side of Birmingham.

Speaking about the aftermath of that defeat, Barry was quick to make an honest admission about the anguish that it caused him and his teammates: "It was my first real experience of having lost and game and just not wanting to show my face around Birmingham.

"A lot of my friends are Bluenoses and you get the usual messages before the game.

"I remember the atmosphere for that game when the Peter Enckelman incident happened - it was electric.

"I have never felt anything like it, you could feel the hatred between the fans, it was a red-hot atmosphere.

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"We probably took Blues for granted and thought we were the Premier League team, they have just come up from the Championship.

"Looking back, they had a great battling, experienced squad under Steve Bruce, and they knew how to win a football game.

"We came up short, and they are horrible, sickening moments."

All in all Barry made over over 400 appearances for Villa, notching 52 goals in the process before eventually departing for pastures new with Manchester City.

The Verdict 

This admission from a Villa legend once again underlines just how special this derby is to the city of Birmingham and England as a a whole.

The Claret and Blue side of the Second City has largely come out on top in recent years but the sheer passion and bragging rights that go into this clash remain.

I for one will be looking forward to the next fixture between the two sides, with there sure to be no shortage of drama as always.