Exclusive: What Lee Hendrie said when asked if Aston Villa are a bigger club than Birmingham City.

According to pundit Lee Hendrie, Aston Villa will always be a greater club than arch West Midlands rivals Birmingham City, regardless of ownership.

Birmingham City and Aston Villa’s fierce West Midlands rivalry dates back to 1879, when the first Second City Derby was played. Both have since competed in the Premier League and Championship on a regular basis, and both have won silverware, with Villa winning the European Cup in 1982 and the Blues capturing the League Cup at Wembley in 2011. However, there has been a clear contrast between the two teams in recent years, with Unai Emery’s side clinching European football for three seasons in a row, while Birmingham have had to dig their way back from League One after being relegated two seasons ago.

However, with Tom Wagner’s involvement in Birmingham City, there is hope that the sides may meet again in the Premier League soon, as the Blues seek to establish themselves as top-flight forces under the American investor. With the prestige of West Midlands football expected to rise as a result of Birmingham City and Aston Villa’s achievements, pundit Lee Hendrie has chimed in on a hotly debated topic. Who is the largest club?

Lee Hendrie emphatically states Aston Villa are a bigger club than Birmingham City

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, analyst Lee Hendrie provided his assessment on who is the bigger club between Aston Villa and Birmingham City, and after 308 appearances at Villa Park, he naturally leans in the claret and blue side. Hendrie stated, “There’s no doubt who is the biggest football club.” I don’t care who owns Birmingham City or who is involved with their club; Aston Villa has been the biggest club in the Midlands for a long time and will continue to be the biggest club in the Midlands, regardless of who takes control of Birmingham City.”

Lee Hendrie response is to be expected due to Aston Villa connections

While there will never be a clear answer to a football discussion due to the opposing viewpoints of followers on both sides, Lee Hendrie’s support for Aston Villa is unsurprising. When comparing the two clubs, Villa have undoubtedly enjoyed the most success in their history, having won the European Cup as the only team from the West Midlands, seven first division titles, and being the sixth most decorated club in English football with 24 major trophy lifts.

Hendrie’s comments appear justified, especially given that Villa Park’s capacity (42,640) far outstrips St Andrew’s (29,409). Blues will, of course, want to bridge the existing gap, with Tom Wagner’s grandiose intentions to rebuild the club into an English superpower.

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