Mike Riley is one of those annoying refs who thinks that the centre circle is his stage. He parades about the pitch like a couped up cockrel in an empty hen house, looking for something to do and not quite sure what to do when called on. He gives the impression that he's got everything under control but, as this game showed, he lacks authority.
The game itself was a typical derby clash with aggression, passion (from one team at least) and a goalkeeping gaff. Riley started off well, making sure he kept pace with play and choosing to speak to players rather than brandish a card. Unusual for a ref who before this game had shown 89 yellows and 11 reds in 30 games. His decision to go for the softly softly approach backfired when Hendrie lunged out at a Blue shirt and was let off the hook. Moments later Melchiot found himself in the book for a similar challenge on the Villa player, who made a swift recovery as soon as he saw the yellow card come out for Melchiot.
Blues then saw two more yellows. Upson made a perfect sliding tackle on Moore, winning the ball and ploughing a furrow. Riley saw this as a rash challenge and booked Upson. Villa lined up for the free kick and they feigned, several times, to take it, forcing Johnson to be booked for what appeared to be encroachment but is recorded as dissent. Johnson protested and Riley moved the ball 10 yards towards the Blues' goal.
At half time most Blues fans were sure Riley intended to reduce the home side to 10 men.
In the second half Moore took a tumble but the ref gave the free kick to Blues. No booking for diving and no booking for any of the handful of Villa players who questioned his parentage.
The goal gifted by the Villa goalkeeper and the way Blues were still hussling the away team saw them become visibly rattled and Mathieu Berson and Martin Laursen were booked in quick succession for late challenges. Hendrie wormed his way into the book in the dying seconds for unsporting behaviour. The FA may yet hand out further punishment for the munchkin's melee with Mario both on and off the pitch.
Ref rating - 6/10. Lacked a balance of when to book and when not to.
Booked (Birmingham): Melchiot, Upson, Johnson.
Booked (Aston Villa): Berson, Laursen, Hendrie.