Brave the young or the old – Villa host West Brom in local derby, a vital game for the Baggies

Relegation haunted West Bromwich Albion who’re nine points from safety face Dean Smith’s inconsistent Aston Villa. An important affair for Sam Allardyce’s men who fell to defeat on the soil of the King Power.

The FA Cup finalists hit the Baggies on the head with a hammer in their 3-0 drubbing of the West Midlands side, with a huge stake on the line ahead of this weekends clash, Allardyce will be hoping his side can muster enough courage to fight bravely against relegation.

Leicester produced a super performance to beat West Brom 3-0 and tighten their grip on third spot in the Premier League. ?

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 22, 2021

For Aston Villa, the story isn’t quiet the same. Having their safety confirmed as a result of Albion’s humbling against Leicester City, perhaps it’s a chance for Smith to dabble with youth and provide a fresh-faced side who’re hungry for success – A chance for the Villans to show off their extravagant youngsters, who also starred in a 6-4 win against West Brom’s under 18’s.

As a result of Matty Cash’s sending off against Manchester City, Villa’s Kaine Kesler looks to be involved with Sunday’s matchday squad as well as former Baggies man, Louie Barry. A host of youngsters have been training with the first team this week, confirmed by Ashley Preece.

Kaine Kesler, Carney Chukwuemeka & Jaden Philogene-Bidace all trained with the first-team this afternoon. Kesler, 18, in contention for Sunday. Ahmed Elmohamady – currently fasting during Ramadan – remains favourite to start in place of the suspended Matty Cash. #AVFC

— Ashley Preece (@PreeceObserver) April 23, 2021

Ahmed Elmohamady has around two months left on his contract, with the Egyptian looking unlikely to sign a new contract at the club, it may be time for Dean Smith to utilise the hailed prospects of the academy.

We’ve seen the likes of Jacob Ramsay become a regular in and around the first team this season, maybe it’s the time to introduce the next wave of Villans in this local derby.

With safety already confirmed for Smith’s side with six games remaining, it’s a vast improvement on their previous campaign which saw Villa clinch survival on the final day of the season. Its imperative that the club has to end their season on a high, rather than succumb to the lower end of midtable.

Last time out at the Hawthorns, it was Aston Villa who took the spoils in a 3-0 win against the Baggies. Smith will be hoping his side can complete their first league double over their rivals since the 2008-09 season in which West Brom were relegated to England’s second division.

The clubs also met in the Championship Play-offs in 2018/19, which saw Albion’s Premier League dreams collapse following a Tammy Abraham penalty, but this didn’t prevent the Baggies from being promoted a year later.

Five wins from six is what West Brom need if they’re to have a glimmer of staying up. However, with Villa looking to pick themselves up after only winning two in their last ten, we look to be set for a fiery Midlands derby. The only ingredient missing is a packed-out Villa Park.

In dire need of these five wins, this is the sole tally in which Albion have managed in 32 league games, not the news you want to hear if you’re a West Brom supporter.

Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi will be a player to keep an eye on, with the Dutchman enjoying some memorable moments against their rivals, the winger will look to star once again and haunt Allardyce’s side.

Two years ago today when Anwar El Ghazi turned into Cristiano Ronaldo for 90 minutes pic.twitter.com/Up2mjmGvzD

— Elliot (@ElliotAVFC) December 7, 2020

The 25-year-old’s most memorable moment came in the 2018-19 season in which the player decided to break out into his inner Cristiano Ronaldo, sending his 25-yard strike into the top corner – creating pandemonium in that away end at the Hawthorns.

The Dutchman also bagged a brace in Villa’s last visit to the Hawthorns, scoring from the spot and tapping in from close range. The winger will be a player the Allardyce’s defence will have to keep an eye on in order to prevent El Ghazi from enjoying another game against Albion.

Seb Mannell will be at Villa Park as all the action unfolds in the Premier League’s late kick-off this Sunday.

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