So far this season, Alex McLeish's men have had the bragging rights over Villa - drawing 0-0 at Villa Park in October's league meeting before recording a 2-1 League Cup quarter-final victory over their rivals in December.
Although Blues fans were delighted with the League Cup victory, you have to go back almost six years (and seven matches) since they last beat Villa in a league encounter.
After beating Blackpool in their last Premier League match, Birmingham are looking to record their first back-to-back league wins for 11 months - and with both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table, Sunday would be the perfect time to do so.
Loan signing David Bentley could make his debut for Blues on Sunday but fans should be warned that the Tottenham man has not scored in his eight Premier League matches against Villa.
Villa hope adage about form going out the window holds true for derby
Villa travel to St Andrew's desperate to record a victory over their rivals and climb out of the relegation places. Gerard Houllier's men sit in 18th position in the Premier League but are just one point behind Birmingham who are in 15th place.
The form book does not read well for Villa fans - their side have won just one of their last nine league matches, picking up five points from a possible 27.
Houllier's team have not kept a clean sheet in their last 11 games and only Wolves have a worse away record in the Premier League.
Fans will be hoping that a fierce local derby will provide the players with the spark they need to pick up three points and propel the club to the safety of mid-table.
TEAM NEWS
Birmingham City
Loan signing David Bentley has trained with his new team-mates following his move from Tottenham and will be included in the squad to face rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.
Another midfielder, Lee Bowyer, has completed his three-match suspension and is also available for selection.
Blues will be without centre-half Scott Dann after the defender picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 League Cup loss to West Ham United in midweek. Alex McLeish is likely to move former Villa player Liam Ridgewell to partner Roger Johnson in the heart of the Blues defence - with David Murphy expected to fill in at left-back.
Birmingham are still without long-term absentees James McFadden (knee) and Enric Valles (foot).
Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Ridgewell, Murphy; Bentley, Gardner, Ferguson, Hleb; Zigic, Jerome.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier will be without two of his key players - as both Ashley Young and Emile Heskey miss out on the 'second city' derby due to suspensions.
Tottenham loanee Kyle Walker is expected to make his first Premier League start for the club after a goal on his debut and an impressive performance in the FA Cup victory over Sheffield United last weekend.
Villa will be without Luke Young and Fabian Delph - with thigh and knee injuries ruling them out of the fixture.
Possible starting XI: Friedel; Walker, Cuellar, Dunne, Clarke; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Bannan, Downing; Agbonlahor.
Prediction
Derby games are notoriously difficult to call and the third 'second city' derby of the season is no exception.
Villa have some dangerous players, but with no in-form replacement for Heskey I expect them to struggle to find the back of the Birmingham net.
Blues may not win many fans for their style of play but Alex McLeish would point to their impressive home record as proof that he is making the right decisions.
I expect a fierce atmosphere both on and off the pitch, with Birmingham sneaking a victory - probably from an inch-perfect David Bentley set-piece.
Villa have some dangerous players, but with no in-form replacement for Heskey I expect them to struggle to find the back of the Birmingham net.
Blues may not win many fans for their style of play but Alex McLeish would point to their impressive home record as proof that he is making the right decisions.
I expect a fierce atmosphere both on and off the pitch, with Birmingham sneaking a victory - probably from an inch-perfect David Bentley set-piece.
Birmingham 1-0 Aston Villa 
