Fans Upset! Ex-Aston Villa star makes Birmingham City prediction

A former player for Man United and Aston Villa weighs in on the Championship relegation fight.

In a forecast that may “upset” some, former Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke thinks Birmingham City will avoid relegation from the Championship.

The 52-year-old, who expressed a wish to get back into football management, is forced to watch as two of his previous teams struggle to stay in the standings. Blackburn Rovers, who lost to Sheffield Wednesday, are only three points ahead of the Blues, who are in the relegation zone and one point from safety.

Dwight Yorke, a former striker for Birmingham and Blackburn Rovers, stated in an interview with TVSportGuide that Birmingham City is on the verge of relegation, but he believes they will barely hang on.

“I know this will not sit well with Villa supporters, but I would prefer Birmingham to at least remain in the Championship.” Birmingham is a large city that depends on the activity in its clubs.

“Blackburn Rovers shall prosper and continue to rise. They started the season looking extremely terrific, but they have definitely fallen off. They’ve moved to the midtable. Although their recent loss to Sheffield Wednesday wasn’t ideal, I believe they are a good enough team to remain in the league.”

Over the course of his 19-year playing career, Yorke had the honor of representing both second-city clubs. More people were aware of him from his 287 games played, 98 goals scored, and 1996 League Cup winning team, Villa Park. In August 1998, he was reportedly sold to Manchester United for £12.6 million, and the two teams went on to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Under Steve Bruce, the 72-cap Trinidad & Tobago international rejoined Birmingham in 2004 after leaving Blackburn Rovers. He only played in 16 games during his one season at St Andrew’s, scoring two goals, before finishing his career with Sydney and then Sunderland.