Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion. Sky Bet Championship.
Villa ParkAttendance39,263.
Friday 15 February 2019 12:22, UK
Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish remains sidelined with a shin problem against West Brom but could return by the end of the month.
Defender Axel Tuanzebe (foot) and midfielder Henri Lansbury (hamstring) are out along with goalkeeper Orjan Nyland (Achilles).
Defender James Chester could be available after missing the 1-0 defeat at Brentford with the club managing his knee problem. Forwards Jonathan Kodjia and Andre Green are pushing to start after being benched in midweek.
Dwight Gayle is banned for West Brom after accepting a charge of successful deception of a match official. The striker was punished by the Football Association after diving to win a late penalty in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest and starts a two-game suspension.
Winger Matt Phillips and midfielder James Morrison (both ankle) are out while forward Hal Robson-Kanu and veteran Chris Brunt are doubts. Defender Ahmed Hegazi faces a late fitness test after playing through a hamstring strain.
Aston Villa are hosting West Bromwich Albion in a league match for the first time since September 2015, when they lost 0-1 under Tim Sherwood at Villa Park in the Premier League.
Six of the last 10 league meetings between Aston Villa and West Brom have ended as draws (two wins for Villa, two for West Brom).
Aston Villa have fallen behind in seven of Dean Smith's 10 home league matches as manager - but have only lost one of those games (W1 D5 L1).
West Brom are looking to keep four consecutive away clean sheets in all competitions for the first time since April 2002 (a run of five); current manager Darren Moore started the last four games in that sequence.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has lost just one of his last 22 home Championship matches played on Saturday (W12 D9), a 0-1 defeat against Norwich City with Brentford in January 2018.
Under Darren Moore, West Brom have won all 10 away league games when they've gone ahead; before this, they had won just one of their previous 10 when ahead away from home (W1 D6 L3).
It would have hurt Dean Smith a lot to be beaten on his return to Griffin Park in midweek, but he needs to move on quickly and focus on Saturday.
West Brom got a fortunate draw against Nottingham Forest but they need to get on a winning run if they are to push up and threaten the top two. This will be a tight game but I reckon the Baggies will nick the three points.
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
