Interesting facts
The Baggies are unbeaten in their last four West Midlands derbies with the Villains and have not gone five league games without defeat against their closest rivals since 1966.
There have been five penalties and five red cards in the 13 Premier League matches between the two sides.
Albion against Villa is the oldest West Midlands derby, with the Baggies meeting the Claret and Blues for the first time in the FA Cup on Saturday, January 3, 1885 - more than 128 years ago.
It is also the most-played West Midlands derby in the top flight, with 131 fixtures between the two clubs. Villa against Wolves is the second-most played derby with 104 meetings, while the Villains have met Blues on 102 occasions and The Baggies have taken on Wolves 100 times.
Last time out
HOME: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, April 28, 2011, Albion 0 Villa 0
AWAY: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, September 30, 2012, Villa 1 (Bent 80) Albion 1 (Long 51)
Form guide (last six league matches)
ALBION: DWWLLL
VILLA: WLLLDL
Last league match line-ups
ALBION (v Reading - away L 3-2): Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Thorne, Brunt (c); Dorrans (Rosenberg 79), Morrison, Thomas; Lukaku. Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Popov, El Ghanassy, Dawson, Tamas, A Nabi.
VILLA (v Southampton – home L 0-1): Guzan; Lowton, Clark, Baker, Stevens; Westwood (Bowery 78), Delph; N'Zogbia (Agbonlahor 62), Holman (Bannan HT), Weimann; Benteke. Unused subs: Marshall, Vlaar, Ireland, Lichaj.
Last match line-ups (FA Cup)
ALBION (4-4-2): Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Tamas (El Ghanassy 81), Popov; Dorrans, Thorne, Morrison (Reid 90), Thomas (Odemwingie 72); Rosenberg, Lukaku. Subs not used: Foster (gk), Dawson, Ridgewell, Olsson.
Villa team news
Villa skipper Ron Vlaar could return to action after a seven-week absence with a calf injury.
Left-back Joe Bennett is also in contention following a bout of flu, while Paul Lambert will also check on the fitness of striker Darren Bent (knee).
Winger Marc Albrighton and defender Chris Herd are still ruled out with foot injuries.
Ref watch
Lee Probert referees Saturday’s game. The Gloucestershire official last oversaw the Baggies' in 3-0 victory over Blackburn at The Hawthorns in April. Probert has dished out 59 yellow and two red cards in 22 matches so far this season.
Betting
Selected odds from Bet Butler:
Albion to win: 19/11
Villa to win: 4/1
Draw: 14/5
Romelu Lukaku to score the first goal: 4/1
Christian Benteke to score the first goal: 15/2
If you fancy a flutter with the club's official online betting partner,
click here.
Tickets
Tickets remain on sale to supporters listed on the club’s ticketing database. For further ticket information,
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