Latest news straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Former Aston Villa and Birmingham City defender Liam Ridgewell says the derby games between the city's two sides were fantastic games to be involved in.

Reflecting on his career at both clubs he told the Aston Villa website that he was never 'Secret Agent Ridgewell', despite an own goal in the 2007 game between the two sides.

Ridgewell scored an own-goal and was beaten to a vital header by Gabby Agbonlahor who scored in the 2-1 victory for Villa at St Andrew's in November 2007.

He was also part of the blues defence when they were hammered 5-1 hammering by Villa in April 2008.

Laughing off the rumours that he was undercover for Villa he said: "I can confirm I'm not Secret Agent Ridgewell.

"I know all about that tag. My friends have told me about it - and it often gets mentioned to me if I'm out and about in the city.

"It's all good banter. It's what makes football so much fun. It's obviously a huge rivalry but that Agent Ridgewell name is just harmless teasing.

(Image: Paul Thomas)

"I can assure all Blues supporters that I gave it my all in all those derby games but unfortunately I scored an own-goal in the one and, of course, Gabby actually cleared my effort off the line in the last few minutes before he scored the winner.

"The whole Agent Ridgewell thing makes me laugh. It's funny. It's what football is all about. It's good banter.

"I had fantastic years at Blues - some of my best as a player. But when I was at Villa and we beat them it was a huge thing.