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Aston Villa have enraged families of the Birmingham pub bombing victims – by refusing to commit to holding a minute’s silence to mark the 40th anniversary of the atrocity.

Villa confirmed to the Mail there would NOT be a silence at Monday night’s home game with Southampton – despite club legend Nigel Spink backing the idea.

Click here to join our online memorial to the Birmingham pub bombings victims

Birmingham City said officials were discussing how to mark Friday’s anniversary at a future home game but no details had yet been confirmed.

Pub bombings campaigner Brian Hambleton, whose sister Maxine was among the 21 killed in the terrorist outrage, said Villa had let down the dead.

He asked: “It is shameful. I am angry, I am deeply upset.

“What is there to discuss? What is there to consider?

“Frankly, if you have to think about doing the right thing, don’t do it at all.

“Twenty-one people died and 222 were injured.

“How many of those were Villa supporters?

“They have been let down by the club they followed until their last day.

“Can you imagine if this was Liverpool?

“Look at how both Everton and Liverpool got behind the Justice for the 96 campaign over the Hillsborough disaster.”

Spink, who won the European Cup with Villa in 1982, told the Mail he thought both clubs should hold a minute’s silence.

He said: “I knew people who worked in the Rotunda.

“I know what a huge thing this was.

“For me, a minute’s silence by both clubs would be a big tick.”

The 21 were killed when bombs ripped through city centre pubs, The Tavern in the Town and Mulberry Bush, on November 21, 1974.

A concert, called 21 Today, will be staged at the Town Hall tomorrow for those who lost their lives and others physically and mentally scarred in Birmingham’s blackest night.

A service takes place on Friday.

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A Villa spokesman said the club staged its own memorial service at the end of each season where supporters paid tribute to lost loved ones.

A Villa spokesman said: "The club has been in dialogue with the Justice 4 the 21 campaign through our Supporters' Liaison Officer.

"We sympathise strongly with the families of the victims and will welcome their participation when our fans have the opportunity to remember their deceased loved ones during a period of tribute and memorial service at the end of the season at Villa Park."

A Blues spokesman admitted the club had been urged by supporters to mark the anniversary.

The Mail understands bosses of the Championship side are broadly in favour of a St Andrew’s tribute but the precise fixture remains a stumbling block.

The next home game, against Nottingham Forest on November 29, has been designated “Trevor Francis Day”.

The match will celebrate the legendary former striker and manager’s inclusion on the Broad Street Walk of Stars.

The Blues spokesman confirmed a number of fans had posted tweets calling for the club to mark the anniversary, adding: “No details have been confirmed, but this is a topic that is being discussed.

“As yet, no details have been confirmed.”