2020-21 Premier League: Week 33 – Aston Villa vs West Brom

Aston Villa welcome West Bromwich Albion to Villa Park in a blockbuster West-Midlands derby on Super Sunday Night Football.

Should Leeds lose to Manchester United earlier on Sunday, Villa can go ninth with victory and boost their fading Europa League qualification hopes.

West Brom meanwhile will stay second bottom but a win would see them potentially move to within six points of safety, although that would only be possible if Burnley lose at Wolves in the lunchtime kick off.

 

Team News

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Matty Cash is suspended for Villa after being sent off in Wednesday’s 2-1 home loss to Manchester City.

Wesley (fitness) could return if fully fit after over a year out with a knee injury, whilst Morgan Sanson, Trezeguet (both knee) and Jack Grealish (calf) remain absent.

West Brom have no fresh injury concerns to report as Branislav Ivanovic remains absent with a hamstring injury.

 

Stat Attack

• Villa have claimed seven points from their last five Premier League meetings against West Brom (W2, D1, L2).
• West Brom are unbeaten in three of their last five Premier League trips to Villa Park (W2, D1, L2).
• Seven of Ollie Watkins’ 81 shots in the Premier League for Villa this season have hit the woodwork.
• All eight of Matheus Pereira’s eight league goals for West Brom this season have come on his left foot.
• Stuart Attwell is refereeing a Villa home game at Villa Park for the first time since August 2011, when the Villains beat Blackburn 3-1.

 

Prediction

Villa will be disappointed with how they failed to snatch a point in midweek because they managed to take the game to City with strong energy, yet a mixture of defensive focus slips and a stupid error from Cash cost them.

West Brom meanwhile will be disappointed with their lacklustre display at Leicester on Thursday, especially because they simply let the Foxes dominate without offering much threat up front when they need more wins if are to keep their survival dreams alive.

This is a local derby though where pride is at stake so I hope to see a good game but if Villa can start like they did on Wednesday evening, I can see them really controlling this game and getting the win.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 West Brom

Result: Aston Villa 2-2 West Brom