Preview: Aston Villa vs West Brom

An important Midlands derby brings excitement to the Premier League schedule this weekend, with Aston Villa taking on rivals West Brom at Villa Park. A win for the Villains could push them into a top six place.

Gaby Agbonlahor has been in destructive form this year for Aston Villa, and will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form with another goal against WBA in today's Premier League match.

On the other hand, West Brom manager Roy Hodgson will be quietly happy with the way his side have conducted themselves this year, despite sitting in 12th spot WBA have played better than their position suggests. Hodgson will be hoping for better today, as his side have endured defeat in three of their last four visits to Villa Park. WBA in fact have not won since 1982 at Villa Park.

Zoltan Gera and Steven Reid are both available for WBA, whilst Aston Villa can call upon James Collins. Nathan Delfouneso and Jermaine Jenas are still missing for Villa.

eyefootball prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 West Brom

first goalscorer: Darren Bent

Aston Villa [probable]: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Petrov, Delph, N’Zogbia, Bent, Agbonlahor, Heskey.

WBA [probable]: Foster, Reid, McCauley, Olsson, Jones, Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu, Gera, Tchoyi, Long.