Amid the tribal pandemonium which engulfed Villa Park following Albert Adomah’s opener, Steve Bruce took a second to gaze towards the Birmingham sky.
Around him, there was unbridled joy, with thoughts of workplace bragging rights and automatic promotion gripping the celebrating home hordes.
But for the Villa manager this was calm in the storm, a rare moment to cherish in a testing week when football — and even a Second City derby — paled into insignificance.
Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane (right) scores his side’s second goal of the game on Sunday
Midfielder Hourihane (centre) celebrates scoring his side’s second goal to seal the 2-0 victory
Villa’s Albert Adomah (centre) scores his side’s first goal of the game during the second half
Villa’s Adomah celebrates after breaking the deadlock in the derby match against Birmingham
Adomah’s team-mates surround him after he scored the first goal in their 2-0 win on Sunda
Bruce lost his father on Tuesday. His mother is seriously ill. He had been on compassionate leave and returned to organise his team on Saturday.
This victory over the old rival, triggered by Adomah and sealed by Conor Hourihane’s wonderful late volley, may well have provided some small measure of comfort. Assistant manager Colin Calderwood, fulfilling media duties for his boss, believed so.
‘It’s probably a shaft of light, a moment of happiness,’ said the Scot.
Adomah agreed. ‘It’s been hard on the gaffer,’ he said. ‘I know the win can’t bring his father back but hopefully it can put a smile on his face.’
Birmingham’s Sam Gallagher has an effort on goal but failed to score against rivals Villa
Villa’s Jack Grealish and Birmingham Carl Jenkinson battle for the ball on Sunday afternoon
Villa were inspired by a fine performance from the increasingly impressive Jack Grealish but the win, which puts them in an automatic promotion spot, did not come without a major scare.
Despite dominating the first half as they searched for a magnificent seventh win in a row, the vibrant hosts could not find a way through and Sam Gallagher, released by a rare slip from John Terry, found a chance to write himself into folklore by becoming the first City man to score on enemy territory since 2008.
However, with home hearts in mouths, he hit a post before volleying the rebound high into a relieved Holte End.
Villa’s Ahmed Elmohamady (right) chases down Birmingham’s Jeremie Boga in derby match
Villa made the most of their good fortune following the break when Grealish teed up an onrushing Adomah to fire into the bottom corner from 18 yards and prompt Bruce’s moment of reflection.
Given his chequered history, it is right to be wary of false dawns but Grealish, socks rolled down, appears to have bulked up and was influential in the middle of the park.
Six months ago, the 22-year-old was in a hospital bed following an operation to repair a cut to his kidney. Here, he was very much on his feet, spearheading attack after attack.
As his fellow Villa fans headed into the city’s pubs to toast victory he gave another illustration of his growing maturity.
‘It means the world,’ said the local lad, before quickly refocusing on the prize. ‘The main thing was to get three points which lifts us up to second. I was out for a long time but worked hard to get back fit. I am lasting longer in games now and hopefully we can get promoted.’
The scenes that greeted Adomah’s opener were repeated on 81 minutes when Hourihane sealed it with a beauty.
Villa manager Steve Bruce waves to the supporters ahead of the clash at Villa Park on Sunday
Birmingham manager Steve Cotterill on the touchline during their 2-0 defeat at Villa Park
The ex-Barnsley man controlled a Harlee Dean header on the edge of the box before dinking a sweet, dipping volley over David Stockdale and into the net.
There was still time for a red card, when Cheikh N’Doye picked up a second yellow in a late melee which saw him engage in some penalty-box handbags with Terry. Villa want to leave the Championship, while their visitors want to remain in it. This was a chastening day for relegation-fighting Birmingham after a good run which had seen them pick up 13 points from 18.
Steve Cotterill was typically forthright when asked what the difference was. ‘Quality, experience, belief,’ was his response.
The Blues manager believed some of his players failed to deal with the occasion but added: ‘Were not talking about an average team we’re playing against. They’re packed with quality and used to environments like that.’
Cheikh N’Doye was given a second yellow card after outbreak of handbags with John Terry