West Brom vs Aston Villa: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at The Hawthorns

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert reacts on the touchline (Getty Images)

West Brom will host Aston Villa in their Premier League campaign on Saturday knowing a loss could send them into the relegation zone. The side of Alan Irvine have gone without a win since late September and ended a 323 minute drought last week when they lost 2-1 against West Ham. The Baggies are struggling having secured only 14 points in 15 games and it appears Saido Berahino’s flying start of the season (eight goals) has come to an end.

Aston Villa picked up a bit of form again in their last two games beating Crystal Palace and Leicester since they had been unable to secure a win in nine games.

Key to a victory for West Brom on Saturday will be the stopping of Christian Benteke who has recently made his come-back after an injury and suspension. The Belgian international scored the winner in last season’s game (4-3 to Villa) and had a stunner when they drew 2-2 a year earlier. Benteke appears to be in good form again after he scored the winner against Leicester City two weeks ago.

Both sides have strikers who have proven they can score goals. Berahino has scored eight goals so far but the hungriest on Saturday will determine who will take the three points from the derby of the Midlands.

KICK-OFF:

Saturday 15:00PM

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Aston Villa 4 (Delph, Weimann, Bacuna, Benteke)- 3West Brom (Brunt, Delph og, Mulumbu) Wed 29 Jan 2014

West Brom 2 (Long, 3, 11) – 2 Aston Villa (Ahmadi, Westwood) Mon 25 Nov 2013

West Brom 2 (Brunt, Odemwingie) - 2 Aston Villa (Benteke, Agbonlahor) Sat 19 Jan 2013

STATS...

WBA have won once at home in the league this season

WBA have not won in their last ten games

Four of the last five Premier League games between Villa and The Baggies have ended as draws with the other match being a Villa victory (4-3).

West Brom have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League outings.

ODDS...

West Brom to win 2.05

Aston Villa to win 3.7

Draw 3.3