World Sports in brief

Villa held by Birmingham in midlands

Aston Villa and Birmingham fought out a 0-0 draw as the latest instalment of their fierce local rivalry ended in stalemate at Villa Park on Sunday. England winger Ashley Young saw a shot hit the woodwork in the closing minutes before Birmingham’s towering striker Nikola Zigic sent a glancing header just wide in injury time.

I’ll be back vows Steffen

Double Olympic and world champion Britta Steffen vowed to return to her Beijing best after defeats over 50m and 100m on her comeback after a 15-month hiatus here at the weekend.

The 26-year-old, who won the 50m and 100m freestyle titles at both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 Rome world championships.

O’Grady signs on with the Schlecks

Seasoned Tour de France campaigner Stuart O’Grady has rubber-stamped his departure from Saxo Bank by signing with the Luxembourg Cycling Project being led by Schleck brothers Andy and Frank. The Schlecks caused a minor upset recently by quitting Saxo Bank, owned and managed by former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis.

Ivanovic heads for Bali minus coach

Former French Open winner Ana Ivanovic will be without coach Heinz Gunthardt at this week’s Bali Tournament of Champions after an apparent scheduling clash ended her 10-month relationship with the Swiss.

Gunthardt, mentor in the 1990s to Steffi Graf, had been with Ivanovic since February.