West Brom v Aston Villa 2014/15
Form usually goes out of the window with local pride at stake and while Villa are on a reasonably good run, a victory for the Baggies would give them a much-needed boost. Three points for Villa would represent a good December for Lambert’s side but we shouldn’t read too much into the Baggies’ recent poor form…
Irvine on potential Baggies boost
“We know how much this means to the fans so getting a good result and a good performance can certainly be a great help going forward.
“I would expect the atmosphere to be very good from the start of the game and hopefully our performance will make sure that atmosphere remains throughout the game.”
Brunt on coping with Benteke
“You just have to watch the stuff when we played against them last year, especially the one at Villa Park, where he caused us mayhem.
“He’s a big miss for anyone, a striker of that quality. He brings so many different attributes, he’s good in the air, a strong guy and he can score goals.He’s a good all-round striker.
“For them to lose someone like that for so long was a big blow but to have him back is going to give you and others around you a lift.
“He is someone we have to contain because he is a handful.”
Lambert on the Baggies
“Anywhere you go, derby matches are massive for supporters. They always want to get one over on their workmate or whoever it is. That’s normal.”
“The derbies between Villa and West Brom that I’ve been involved in have always been really good games with lots of goals in them and I don’t think this one will be any different.
“The atmosphere will be really good and we’re in a bit of form so we’ll go there trying to win”
Form is Temporary
West Brom – Last five matches at home: D 2, L 3
Aston Villa – Last five matches away: W 1, D 2, L 2
Villa have only won once in their last five Premier League visits to the Hawthorns
One to Watch
Saido Berahino – The talented striker could be reintroduced to the squad this Saturday, after being dropped from the team last weekend
Memory Match
25 November 2013 West Brom 2 Aston Villa 2
Despite West Brom racing into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Shane Long, history repeated itself as Villa did to the Baggies what had previously been done to them in the season before.
Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet
Villa’s good form is a welcome change from the recent poor run, and after losing six league games in a row we’re now unbeaten in five. With this in mind you could be forgiven for feeling confident ahead of this match against 16th-placed West Brom. But if history is anything to go by (and with this fixture, past results can be oddly telling) we’ll be lucky to take all three points. They’re always particularly competitive matches and when it is won it’s usually decided by one goal only. But the recent norm is a draw.
A third win on the trot might just be too much to ask – especially as the last time we won three consecutive matches was in April 2010.
What We Pray the Football Gods Will Provide
Refreshingly, Villa showed good character against Leicester. Going a goal behind early was an all-to-familiar blow but we did at least respond well. Persistence was the key and it was rewarded with Hutton’s goal. This sort of endeavour will be vital against the Baggies – especially considering how high-scoring meetings between these two teams have been in recent seasons.
Why Villa Have Got This Game in the Bag
Villa were struggling for goals not so long ago but it does seem that a corner has been turned in that respect. Now it’s the Baggies’s turn – they’ve failed to score in four of their last five league matches. They have problems in the defensive department too and have conceded the highest percentage of first-half goals in the division so far. It’s useful, then, that Villa have scored the highest percentage of first-half goals.
After a good run the stats have finally started to turn in our favour and to win against the Baggies would quieten the concerns of the Villa faithful. We played well against Leicester, but can we do it again? West Brom haven’t won any of their last five home games – so there’s no reason we can’t get a third consecutive win. UTV.
For an insightful look at life at the Hawthorns at the moment, check our interview with WBA site Albion Til We Die here
Follow Lewis on Twitter here
tempting the footballing gods is never wise. Villa have got this game in the bag? Not so at all. Last year Heroes and Villains said the same thing about the stoke home game and they beat us 4-1 after villa went ahead after 10.
I will accept an away point if it is on offer.
trevor fisher.
No tempting of the football gods. ‘Why Villa Have Got This Game in the Bag’ are the pros and ‘Facts to Sweep under the Carpet’ are the cons.