Premier League preview: Aston Villa v West Brom

West Brom head to Aston Villa on Saturday looking for maximum points from their second Midlands derby in less than a week.

The rivalry between the Baggies and Villa has always been intense. But with the Birmingham side holding on to eighth place in English Premier League – three points ahead of West Brom – both sets of players will feel the pressure at Villa Park.

Roy Hodgson’s men know the odds are stacked against them, however.

They have not won at Villa since May 1979, a fact that Albion’s Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie is determined to put right.

Odemwingie is still on a high following his excellent display against rivals Wolves on Sunday, when he came off the bench to score West Brom’s second goal.

“It would be great to make it a double. Every situation is a chance to do something that will be remembered,” Odemwingie said.

“We have a very tough game but we need points and we’re at the moment where we have two big derbies in a row, then Arsenal and Liverpool.”

“It’s a very hard period but it’s a period where three points feels like six, so I think that will help motivate us.”

Villa boss Alex McLeish will be looking for a better performance than the one they delivered in the 4-1 hammering by Manchester City last Saturday.

McLeish received some good news with defender James Collins scheduled to return to training on Thursday after missing the City defeat with a groin injury.

And centre-back Carlos Cuellar has now recovered from knee surgery and could return to strengthen the back four, after being on the substitutes’ bench against City.