Aston Villa v West Brom preview
Posted Saturday, December 11, 2010 by skysports.com
When West Brom supporters scanned the fixture list in pre-season for the date of this fixture, they would scarcely believe they would be higher than Aston Villa in the table.
The Baggies have confounded all expectations, not least their own, as they approach the half-way stage of the Premier League campaign in a healthy position.
Roberto Di Matteo has seen his players amass 22 points from 16 outings - more than halfway to the 40 milestone that usually guarantees survival.
Albion will fancy their chances of adding to that tally when they head across the Midlands to face an out-of-form Villa team.
Gerard Houllier was on the wrong end of a 3-0 drubbing on Monday night at former club Liverpool, a defeat that leaves his men two points above the drop zone.
It's a position that would seem more likely for West Brom to be in given they were promoted from the Championship last season.
Villa were hoping to build on the foundations left by former manager Martin O'Neill and press for a European berth this time out, although such ambitions may have to be put on hold.
But Houllier is desperate to kick-start his Villa Park reign - and avoid a fifth successive defeat in this massive fixture for the claret and blues.
Team news
Houllier has been given a timely boost by the return of striker Emile Heskey, who is back in contention after a seven-game absence.
The former England striker has been sidelined with a knee problem since the goalless draw against Birmingham in October and Houllier has confirmed he will take some part.
Houllier also welcomes back winger Ashley Young from suspension after he missed Monday night's loss at Liverpool.
Ciaran Clark will take no part after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign at Anfield.
Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will return from suspension to give Di Matteo options in the engine room.
Peter Odemwingie, the club's top scorer, suffered a groin problem in last week's defeat of Newcastle and is a doubt.
The front man has been unable to train this week, leaving his manager the prospect of making changes and Marc-Antoine Fortune or Simon Cox coming in.
Chris Brunt is also suffering from a groin injury but is hopeful of being fit to start on the wing.
Possible starting XIs:
Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Albrighton, Ireland, Downing, A Young, Heskey, Agbonlahor.
West Brom: Carson, Jara, Scharner, Tamas, Cech, Tchoyi, Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans, Thomas, Fortune.
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