West Brom vs Aston Villa preview: Midlands derby the place for Villa to continue fight back?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at The Hawthorns.

Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede celebrates his equaliser (Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Remi Garde: The Aston Villa manager needs to start stringing together a series of wins. Aston Villa sit rock bottom of the Premier League. Having beaten Wycombe in the FA cup, Villa will be looking to keep the momentum and gain a crucial three points to put the pressure on 19th placed Sunderland.

Best stat…

2 – Aston Villa have taken only two points of a possible 30 in their last 10 away League fixtures.

Remember when…

During Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over West Brom in the FA Cup last season, Villa fans stormed the pitch, forcing referee Anthony Taylor to stop the match in stoppage time.

Player to watch…

Joleon Lescott: Following a transfer from West Brom over the summer, the defender has been a part of a pretty dire Villa defence that has conceded 38 goals so far this season. The ex-England international was also involved in a heated debate with Villa fans during the clubs draw with Wycombe. The ex-England international will be looking to help West Brom to a win at the club he left last summer.

Past three-meetings…

Aston Villa 0 West Brom (Berahino) 1, Premier League, September 2015

Aston Villa 2 (Delph, Sinclair) West Brom 0, FA Cup, March 2015

Aston Villa 2 (Agbonlahor, Benteke PEN) West Brom (Berahino) 1, Premier League, March 2015

Form guide…

West Brom: WWDDLW

Aston Villa: LLDWDW

Vital information…

Kick-off time: Saturday, 3.00pm

TV: Highlights on BBC1, 10.25pm