Sam Allardyce is back in the big time. Christmas come early. It is what we have all been waiting for. West Brom fans may disagree but he does have a very particular set of skills. Skills that make him a nightmare for teams such as Aston Villa and that save sides from relegation. Dean Smith will hope Allardyce has not quite yet had time to impart them to his players. Graham Searles
Sunday 7.15pm BT Sport 1
Venue The Hawthorns
Last season n/a
Odds H 3-1 A Evens D 3-1
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G10 Y20 R1 2.1 per/game
WEST BROM
Subs from Bond, Button, Grosicki, Harper, Edwards, Peltier, Kipré, Robinson, Krovinovic, Ivanovic, Sawyers
Doubtful None
Injured Bartley (calf, 27 Dec), Robson-Kanu (arm, 27 Dec), Field (match fitness, 27 Dec), Townsend (knee, Jan)
Suspended Pereira (last of three)
Discipline Y19 R2
Form LLWLLD
Leading scorers Gallagher, Robinson 2
ASTON VILLA
Subs from Kalinic, Steer, Taylor, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Jota, Elmohamady, Davis, Ramsey, Chrisene, Heaton, Hause
Doubtful Barkley (hamstring), Konsa (illness)
Injured Wesley (knee, Jan), Trezeguet (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y23 R1
Form LWLLWD
Leading scorer Watkins 6
