Rudy Gestede headed the only goal of the game as Aston Villa edged through to the last 16 of the League Cup with a derby victory over Birmingham City.
The Benin striker evaded his marker to powerfully nod in left-back Jordan Amavi's left-wing cross from 10 yards just after the hour mark.
Blues had the better of a highly charged first half at Villa Park.
But Villa got on top after the break to earn their victory, Blues keeper Tomasz Kuszczak having to make two fine saves.
In the first Second City derby since January 2011, Gary Rowett's Championship side went closest in the first half through an angled shot from Jacques Maghoma, who also volleyed over when well placed.
And lively teenager Demarai Gray should have done better with a weak chipped free-kick straight at home keeper Brad Guzan.
After making two half-time substitutions, Villa broke through 17 minutes into the second half when Amavi swung in a cross and Gestede escaped the attentions of Jonathan Grounds to place his header low inside Kuszczak's right post.
Maghoma had a great chance to level, after being sent through by Gray, but Guzan saved his scuffed effort.
Villa could have won by more, Kuszczak saving spectacularly from Scott Sinclair and Jordan Ayew, whose fellow half-time substitute Jack Grealish was inches away from stealing in at the far post.
Villa's first win in four matches, since beating Notts County in round two, condemned Blues to only their second defeat of the season.
