Club News

Albion v Villa - team news

Clarke makes one enforced change in defence

GORAN Popov is handed his first Barclays Premier League start of the season as the ever-present Liam Ridgewell misses out through injury.

It is the only change Steve Clarke has made to the starting XI that drew 2-2 at Chelsea 16 days ago.

Nicolas Anelka returns from the groin problem that saw him miss a return to Stamford Bridge and is on the bench.

Paul Lambert names an unchanged Villa team to the one that beat Cardiff 2-0 at home last time out.

ALBION: Myhill, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Popov, Mulumbu, Yacob, Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Brunt, Long. Subs: L Daniels (gk), Morrison, Berahino, Dawson, Vydra, Anelka, Anichebe.

VILLA: Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Sylla, Tonev, Benteke, Kozak. Subs not used: Steer (gk), Weimann, Herd, Bowery, Lowton, Delph, Agbonlahor.

REFEREE: M Oliver (Northumberland).