Steve Cotterill: 'Birmingham City didn't have the belief'

Birmingham City manager Steve Cotterill has admitted that his side did not possess the necessary belief as they went down to a 2-0 defeat to city rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Blues were level going in at half time, but two goals from Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane sealed the win, before Cheikh N'Doye was sent off late on for Birmingham.

Cotterill, whose side sit two points above the Championship relegation zone, said that his team had chances to take the lead in the first period.

"[The difference was] quality, experience and belief," the manager told reporters at a press conference. "We have been in form as well but we are not talking about an average team here today.

"I thought a few of our boys today didn't look like they have the belief to play in that game. If Sam's shot goes in that might have given us a bit more belief coming in [at half time]."

Birmingham face Millwall in their next league game.