Would this Birmingham City player get in Aston Villa’s team?

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Birmingham City host bitter rivals Aston Villa on Sunday in the two sides’ first league meeting since 2011.

Birmingham City host bitter rivals Aston Villa on Sunday, in what will be the two sides’ first league meeting since 2011.

The Blues lead their neighbours by six points going into the game, but while they may have been the better side so far, how many – if any – of their players would make it into Villa’s current eleven?

The Villans have taken seven points from a possible nine under Steve Bruce, suggesting his squad is perhaps not as bad as many had feared.

Summer recruit Jonathan Kodjia seems to have clicked into gear under the former Birmingham boss, whose defenders and goalkeeper are looking increasingly assured, too.

Despite splashing out close to £10 million on central midfielders during the summer, doubts remain over Villa’s long-term partnership, with the jury still out on Mile Jedinak despite Saturday’s win.

While the Australian has completed more passes per game (34.78) than any Villa or Birmingham midfielder this season, he has averaged a mere 1.33 tackles.

In contrast, Birmingham’s Maikel Kieftenbeld has made 30 in 10 outings so far – which works out at three per game – and could perhaps bring the bite that Villa are lacking in the centre of the park.

Captain of the Groningen side which won the 2015 KNVB Cup, Kieftenbeld’s would be another welcome voice as Villa seek to overcome their slow start.

And while he is still to show it this season, there’s the odd spectacular strike in his locker, too.

In many ways, he’s ready made for derbies like Sunday’s – which may not bode well for Aston Villa.

Which Blues player would you want in your Villa side? (Seriously, pick one…)