Match Previews

MATCH PREVIEW: Villa v Albion

Stats and info for Sunay's trip to Villa Park (ko 4pm)

All-time results record (League, FA Cup and League Cup)

PLDWDLFAGD
HOME7832192712110714
AWAY7519124488136-48
NEUTRAL511356-1
TOTAL158523274214249-35


Interesting facts

The Baggies are unbeaten in their last three West Midlands derbies against the Villains.

Villa have won only three of their last 17 Barclays Premier League home games (W3 D5 L9) - a run Albion started with a 2-1 triumph at Villa Park in October last year.

There have been five penalties and five red cards in the 12 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 127 years ago.

It is also the most-played West Midlands derby in the top flight, with 130 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 - while the Baggies versus Wolves has been contested 100 times. 


Last time out

HOME: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, April 28, 2011, Albion 0 Villa 0

AWAY: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, October 22, 2011, Villa 1 (Bent pen 23) Albion 2 (Olsson 45, Scharner 57)


Form guide (last six league matches)

ALBION: LWDWLW
VILLA: LLLDWL


Last league match line-ups

ALBION (v Reading - home W 1-0): Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Gera (Dorrans 70), Morrison (Long 65), Brunt; Lukaku (Rosenberg 78). Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Dawson, Jara Reyes, Fortune. 

VILLA (v Southampton – away L 4-1): Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Lichaj; Holman, Ireland (Westwood 45), El Ahmadi, Bannan (Agbonlahor 68); Bent, Benteke. Subs not used: Given (gk), N’Zogbia, Bowery, Weimann.


Last match line-ups (Capital One Cup) 

ALBION (v Liverpool home L 1-2): Foster; Jones, Tamas, Olsson, Ridgewell (Dawson 22); Thorne, Mulumbu; Fortune (El Ghanassy 88), Dorrans, Rosenberg; Lukaku (Long 70). Subs not used: L Daniels (gk), Berahino, McAuley, Yacob. 

VILLA (v Man City away W 4-2): Given; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett (Lichaj 86); El Ahmadi (Herd 72), Delph; Weimann (Albrighton 66), N'Zogbia, Agbonalahor; Benteke. Subs not used: Guzan (gk), Bent, Bannan, Lichaj, Baker.


Villa team news

Joe Bennett is expected to be fit after limping out of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash with a slight strain. Stephen Ireland will not feature in Sunday’s game after breaking his wrist at Southampton last Saturday. Richard Dunne (groin) remains sidelined for the Villains, while Gary Gardner is out for the season with a knee injury. 


Ref watch 

Anthony Taylor referees Saturday’s game. The Manchester official oversaw the Baggies' victories at Stoke and Newcastle last season.  Taylor has refereed five matches so far this season, dishing out one red and ten yellow cards. 


Betting

Selected odds from Bet Butler:

Albion to win: 2/1
Villa to win: 7/5
Draw: 23/10

Romelu Lukaku to score the first goal: 7/1 
Darren Bent to score the first goal: 5/1 

If you fancy a flutter with the club's official online betting partner, click here.


Tickets

Albion’s allocation of 2,800 seats for Sunday’s game is completely sold out. Fans are urged not to travel to Villa Park without a ticket. 


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