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Champagne Celebrations for Villa’s Agbonlahor
In a cheeky nod to the relegation of Birmingham City from the Championship, former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor marked the occasion with a bottle of champagne. The Blues’ descent into League One football was confirmed, ending a 29-year run in the higher division, following a catastrophic season that saw them replace John Eustace with Wayne Rooney, only to see their fortunes plummet. Agbonlahor, now a talkSPORT host, couldn’t resist celebrating the fate of Villa’s fierce rivals with a social media video showing him popping a bottle and taking a sip, accompanied by a playful “Happy bank holiday everyone!” message.
Birmingham’s Bitter End to the Season
Birmingham City’s final hopes of clinging onto their Championship status were dashed despite a victory over Norwich in their last match. The triumph was rendered insignificant as fellow strugglers Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, and Blackburn all secured wins. The Blues, who once occupied the sixth spot in the league, faced a dramatic downturn in their campaign, culminating in relegation alongside Huddersfield and Rotherham.
Rowett Calls for Player Responsibility
After the dust settled on a disappointing season, interim boss Gary Rowett stepped up to address the future of the club. In the absence of permanent manager Tony Mowbray, who is on medical leave, Rowett expressed a desire for players to take responsibility and commit to bringing the team back to the Championship. He emphasized the need for a change in mindset, suggesting that looking for an “easy way out” is not the solution. With optimism, he pointed to the potential for a strong comeback if the right steps are taken.
Rivals and Former Stars React to Birmingham’s Plight
Agbonlahor wasn’t alone in his reactions to Birmingham City’s relegation. Barry Bannan, another ex-Villa player who helped his Sheffield Wednesday side avoid the drop, also took a jab at the Blues on social media. His post, which included laughing emojis, hinted at the celebratory mood among those associated with Aston Villa, highlighting the intense rivalry that exists between the two clubs.
A Long Road Ahead for Birmingham
Birmingham City now faces the challenge of rebuilding and attempting to climb back into the Championship. With the club’s management and players under scrutiny, the journey back to the second tier promises to be a formidable one. Fans and the team alike will be hoping for a swift return, but the reality of football in League One awaits them next season.
