Premier League

Villa Park

Sunday 25th April 2021 -  19:00
Aston Villa
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West Brom
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Players celebrate

Sam Allardyce’s Baggies play their second match in four days when they take on Aston Villa in a Midlands derby at Villa Park on Sunday evening (ko 7pm). 

Following defeat against Leicester City last time out, Allardyce’s men will be keen to produce a much-improved display across Handsworth and secure a morale-boosting victory over their neighbours.

Aston Villa

Their last time out 

Villa enjoyed a good start to their last game against title-chasing Manchester City, but the four-time Premier League champions came from behind to defeat Dean Smith’s men 2-1. 

John McGinn gave the Villans the perfect start when he scored after just 20 seconds, but City responded with goals from Phil Foden and Rodri to put them in the ascendancy. 

Although John Stones’ red card before the interval gave Villa hope of a turnaround going into the second half, Matty Cash’s dismissal levelled out the numbers and the Cityzens held on to condemn Dean Smith’s side to consecutive defeats.  

In the dugout 

Dean Smith has improved the fortunes of his Villa side this term after fighting off relegation last season. 

Although Villa’s heroics in the 2019/20 Carabao Cup saw them reach the final at Wembley against Manchester City, Smith’s side were denied silverware following a 2-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men. 

Smith couldn’t stop Villa losing their next seven matches after their Wembley heartache, as they slumped deeper into the relegation scrap. However, the West Bromwich-born coach led the Villains to an unbeaten run in their final four matches of the season - beating Arsenal and Crystal Palace along the way to avoid the drop by a single point. 

The Villa boss developed and maintained a fast-flowing style of play during his other two managerial stints at Walsall and Brentford. And it was clear to see his influence rub off on the Villans following his return to the west Midlands in October 2018. 

Villa enjoyed a change in fortunes under Smith’s guidance, finishing the 2018/19 season strongly by reaching and winning the Play-Off final in May 2019 after overcoming Derby County 2-1 at Wembley to secure a return to the Premier League. 

And after a tough first season for Villa back in England’s top flight, Smith’s side made a blistering start to the 2020/21 campaign, winning their opening four games. Notable victories over Liverpool, Arsenal twice and Leicester City have been the highlight moments this campaign.

One to watch 

Ollie Watkins couldn’t have hoped for a better first season in England’s top flight following his summer transfer to Villa Park. 

Villa secured his services from Championship outfit Brentford in September 2020 on a five-year-deal, as Dean Smith reignited his working relationship with Watkins after their previous spell together at the Bees. 

The 25-year-old started out at Sky Bet League Two side Exeter City after rising through their academy ranks. And following an impressive loan spell at Weston-super-Mare during the 2014/15 season, Watkins went on to help his parent club become promotion-contenders in England’s fourth tier. 

His goal contributions didn’t go unnoticed as Brentford acquired his services in the summer of 2017. But after failing to help the Bees reach the Premier League after the pain of a Play-Off final defeat to Fulham last season, Watkins joined Smith at Villa Park.

And the Exeter City academy graduate started his first term in England’s top flight in some fashion. His first top-flight goal was followed by another two in the same match as the exciting attacker scored a memorable hat-trick in Villa’s 7-2 mauling of Liverpool back in October 2020. 

Watkins currently leads the way as Villa’s top scorer with 14 goals across all competitions, including four assists. And the forward’s goal involvements didn’t go unnoticed on the international stage after receiving his first senior call-up to the England side by Gareth Southgate for the recent World Cup qualifiers. 

And Watkins will be keen to continue impressing the Three Lions boss in Villa’s remaining Premier League games, as he targets a spot in the England squad for this summer’s UEFA European Championship.

Our last meeting 

Sam Allardyce’s first game at the helm ended with a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Villa at The Hawthorns back in December 2020. 

February 2019 was the last time the Baggies secured the bragging rights over the Villans at Villa Park, as goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and Jay Rodriguez secured a memorable three points. 

Stats

Aston Villa

  • Villa have secured just two wins from their last 10 Premier League games.
  • Villa have lost two consecutive games in the Premier League despite scoring the first goal in each of those matches.
  • Dean Smith's side have lost more home games (7) than they've won (6) this season in the top flight.

Albion

  • Albion's last Premier League win at Villa Park was a 1-0 victory in September 2015.
  • Baggies trio Sam Johnstone, Robert Snodgrass and Callum Robinson have all played for Aston Villa.
  • Albion have conceded just seven goals in their last eight games.

Our one to watch

Callum Robinson will be targeting a goalscoring return to his former stomping ground.

The former Villa forward has netted three goals in his last three appearances for Albion, and his eye for goal could prove crucial at Villa Park on Sunday night. 'Robbo' followed up his brace at Chelsea with another goal against Southampton, but the Republic of Ireland international was unable to make an impact in Thursday's defeat at Leicester.

He'll be keen to find the magic touch once again as the Baggies go in search of three points in the derby.

Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account. 

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

The game is also available to watch on BT Sport.

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Albion were denied a victory in the West Midlands derby after Aston Villa's late equaliser ensured the points were shared on Sunday evening.

Villa took an early lead through Anwar El Ghazi’s penalty but were pegged back by Matheus Pereira’s spot-kick midway through the first half.

Tyrone Mings’ own-goal, created by Mbaye Diagne, looked to be enough to see the Baggies pick up an important three points.

But substitute Keinan Davis' stoppage-time effort denied Sam Allardyce's men of the bragging rights at Villa Park. 

Albion boss Allardyce made two changes from the midweek defeat at Leicester as Semi Ajayi and Conor Gallagher came in for Dara O’Shea and Matt Phillips.

However, the switches didn’t quite have the desired effect straight away and Albion found themselves a goal down inside nine minutes - Ajayi tripping Ross Barkley in the box and El Ghazi converting the penalty which followed.

But within quarter-of-an-hour, the Baggies were level thanks to a spot-kick of their own. Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles was fouled 12 yards out and Pereira was on hand to take full advantage.

The visitors were on top and nearly went ahead when Okay Yokuslu headed inches wide, Maitland-Niles soon forcing Emiliano Martinez into a great save following some mind-blowing skill from Pereira to set him up.

The Baggies’ Brazilian magician was seriously close to netting again just before the break - a whipped free-kick smashing the underside of the crossbar - but it remained 1-1 going into half time.

In polar opposite fashion to the opening period Albion started brightly after the interval and were rewarded for it. Diagne broke free down the left, cut onto his right foot and saw his finish deflected into the bottom corner of the Holte End net.

Then came the Villa onslaught. Ross Barkley had an effort diverted off-target, Bertrand Traore smashed the post and Johnstone made two brilliant saves, stopping Ahmed El Mohamady’s volley and Ollie Watkins’ vicious strike.

Yet Albion went searching for a third as Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong saw headers somehow cleared off the line, while Pereira saw his curling effort tipped over by Martinez.

But the hosts' late pressure was finally rewarded when Baggies captain Bartley hesitated to clear an awkward ball in the box, which allowed Villa forward Davis to ghost in and poke home the equaliser. 

 

Albion: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Maitland-Niles (O’Shea 86), Yokuslu, Gallagher; Pereira, Diagne, Robinson (Phillips 67).

Substitutes: Button, Peltier, Sawyers, Livermore, Diangana, Grant, Robson-Kanu.