Derby day for Blues at The Hawthorns as Villa chase first home win

Football returns after the international break with a busy Saturday for both of Birmingham's big clubs: Birmingham City travel to West Bromwich Albion for a lunchtime derby, while Aston Villa host Brentford in the afternoon.

West Brom v Birmingham City, 12.30pm

Barely six miles separate St Andrew's and The Hawthorns, and only three points separate the two clubs in the Championship after eight games.

Albion are fifth, with 14 points, after a strong start under their new permanent manager, James Morrison. They are unbeaten at home, where they have picked up eight of their points. Blues have 11 points and have lost only once, with seven of their points coming away from St Andrew's. A win would take them above their neighbours.

"We're going to need to be better with the ball"

Chris Davies said his side had become very solid away from home this season, but now needed to improve in possession.

"The away record was an obvious thing that needed to be improved and we've found a method and a way that has made us very solid away from home," he said. "Goals scored is good, 12 goals after eight games, we only had seven this time last year, but we can and are going to need to score more than that if we want to push on."

He said he had challenged his players "to go to another level", adding: "I've seen enough to be optimistic and excited about the games in the weeks and months ahead."

Jay Stansfield scored twice in a 2-2 friendly draw with Coventry City during the break, a timely boost for a striker who has had chances but not the goals to match this season.

Aston Villa v Brentford

Villa will try to avoid losing three Premier League home matches in a row for the first time under Unai Emery. They lost to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park but won their last two matches before the break, both away, at Coventry in the Carabao Cup and at Tottenham.

At his press conference on Friday, Emery used an expletive to describe the 2-1 defeat by Forest, and said: "How we can react and change our performance at home is very important."

He insisted the reduced capacity of around 37,000, caused by the rebuilding of the North Stand, was "no excuse". "It is a plan for the club to improve, to add more supporters next year," he said.

Brentford arrive fourth and unbeaten. "Tomorrow is a huge challenge," Emery said. "I have a massive respect for them as a club, players and coaches."

Team news

Brian Madjo and Pau Torres are back from injury for Villa. Leon Goretzka, who joined as a free agent in the summer, is not yet available but is close to recovering from the knee injury that has delayed his debut.

Getting there

Road closures are in place around The Hawthorns on match day, and supporters are advised to allow extra time and use public transport where they can.