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TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa
winger Brett Holman has recovered from a knee injury
Midfielder Stephen Ireland is again ruled out with the cracked bone in his wrist
Full-back Joe Bennett picked up a knock to his leg at the Etihad Stadium
West Brom
Goran Popov and Liam Ridgewell making good progress ahead of Sunday's Premier League derby
Midfielder James Morrison (hamstring) is also likely to be available
number two goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is ruled out for two weeks after undergoing minor surgery on a thumb injury
striker Peter Odemwingie completes a three-match ban.
Steve Clarke: "We've had a good start and Villa have had an okay start. You can't say they've had a bad start. They've had enough decent results to show what Paul is trying to do there is starting to work. Their trend is upwards. I've watched a few of their videos leading into this match and you can see the team is starting to play the way Paul would like them to play."
Paul Lambert on the form of Gabriel Agbonlahor: "Every time I pick a side it is hard but Gabby's performance the other night was exceptional. His two goals were fantastic and, if you get Gabby firing on all cylinders, then he is a handful. Consistency comes from within himself. He is at an age now where he has got to get consistency in his game as well."
MATCH STATS
After winning five and losing none of the first nine Premier League meetings with West Brom, Villa have lost two and won none of the last three.
Six of the last eight Premier League meetings between Villa and West Brom have ended with a 2-1 score line, while the other two finished 0-0.
Aston Villa have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games (W1 D6 L8).
10 points after five games is West Brom’s best ever start to a Premier League season.
West Brom have won just one of their last eight Premier League away games (W1 D3 L4).
West Brom have allowed the opposition more shot on target from outside the box than any other team in the Premier League this season (11).
Aston Villa have scored the joint-most goals from outside the box (two, along with Newcastle).
MATCH ODDS
Aston Villa (6/4) West Brom (9/4) Draw (12/5)
