West Brom look set to play host to Aston Villa as the highly anticipated West Midlands Derby kicks off on Tuesday night in a battle that will see one of the two teams eventually stake a claim for a spot in the championship play-off final. With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg which was played on Saturday, the Villans will look to better their lot after last season's disappointment where they lost to Fulham at the final.

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At the other end, West Brom has a big job on their hands as they will have to find a way to get back into the tie. A must-win is the only way that they can get a chance to be promoted.

Team News

Dwight Gayle will sit out this one which is a blow for West Brom after receiving a red card in the first leg. So far, he has bagged a massive 24 goals in about 41 season appearances. Hal Robson-Kanu will also miss the playoffs after being dismissed during the final day game. Injury keeps out Gareth Barry with Jake Livermore as well as James Morrison in doubt too.

Aston Villa seems to have better luck as there are no recent injury concerns. The team is at full strength despite being without James Chester as well as Orjan Nyland.

Expected Team Lineup

West Brom

Johnstone

Hegazy

Bartley

Dawson

Gibbs

Johansen

Brunt

Holgate

Murphy

Rodriguez

Phillips

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Aston Villa

Steer

Taylor

Ming

Tuanzebe

Elmohamady

Hourihane

El Ghazi

Grealish

McGinn

Adomah

Abraham

Head to Head

This is the 171st time that the West Midlands Derby will take place. So far, Villa has 71 victories and West Brom have won only 55 times with 37 draws between both teams

Recent Form

West Brom comes out of back-to-back defeats in 6 days while only keeping a clean sheet once in the previous 9 games and this could be a major concern as they look to hold back Aston Villa.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, has won 10 in 12 and will be looking to complete the job over West Brom in this must watch the second leg.

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Verdict

The game on Tuesday will really be an exciting one with a fierce battle between hungry sides looking to make it to Wembley. Recent performances against each other reveal some positives and negatives but Aston Villa seems to be the side who have a higher chance of progressing to another championship play-off final.

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