The West Midlands Derby between Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers is always big. They are the regions two most historic teams, and both are looking for a return to past glories.
This weekend's match has added significance as Wolves sit 10 points ahead of Aston Villa in the Championship. Wolverhampton have led the Championship since week 15. Since then, everyone else has been chasing the pace setters. Whether anyone can catch Wolves is debatable, but a win for Villa at home could see Nuno Espirito Santo's team's lead reduced.
Aston Villa are coming off of a 3-0 win over Sunderland in midweek. The team strolled to victory and notched its 19th win of the campaign. Things were so lopsided for Villa, that Sunderland fans walked out of the stadium halfway through the contest.
Albert Adomah continues to lead Villa in goals with 13. Adomah has had a hand in Villa goals in the team's last three matches. Two goals and two assists have been recorded by the 30-year-old. Despite Adomah's scoring and Villa's play, manager Steve Bruce has stated the team's results are better than their on-field play. Villa may be winning ugly at times, but the team is still accumulating points for the promotion playoffs. Despite Villa's great run of form, the team doesn't seem to be getting any closer to the automatic playoff places. Still four points back of Cardiff for second, Bruce's team need a win to keep itself within touching distance of the Bluebirds.
Wolves had a tricky fixture at Leeds United in midweek. However, the club came through it with flying colours with a 3-0 win. The team dominated play with nearly 54% possession and tallied seven shots on target.
Santo got a striking boost as well during the fixture. January loan signing Benik Afobe scored his first goal since returning to Wolves. The team's biggest problem of late has been misfiring strikers. If Afobe can find form in front of goal, Wolves could be just as deadly as they were pre-Christmas.
Wolves' defensive midfielder Ruben Neves is expected to return to the team following a two-match suspension. Santo currently has all of his usual suspects available for selection now. Bruce doesn't have any new injury worries either. Against Sunderland on Tuesday night, Bruce welcomed back 22-year-old attacking midfielder Jack Grealish. The player had missed the three previous matches with a calf injury. He played only 23 minutes but should play a bigger part against Wolves.
The last time these two sides met in October, Wolves ran out 2-0 winners at Molineux. However, Aston Villa are far better at home than on the road. The Villains have won 36 of 51 possible points at home. The team will need its home support, but even then, it won't be enough. This match should end with a draw.