West Brom v Aston Villa: Six Hawthorns classics
West Brom host Aston Villa for the first time since 2016 this week, in a derby that has lost no spice in recent decades.
Here we pick out six classics played out at The Hawthorns over the past 40 years between the two nearby neighbours.
West Brom 2 Aston Villa 2 - November 25 2013
The most recent meeting between the sides to make this list, many Villa fans will remember this game for their spirited comeback - having gone two goals down in the first 11 minutes.
Shane Long was in fine form as he netted in the first three minutes, before a stylish chip doubled the Baggies' advantage less than nine minutes later.
The Hawthorns was bouncing until a triple substitution from Paul Lambert turned the tables on the hosts, who saw Karim El Ahmadi volley home before Ashley Westwood netted from 25 yards with less than 15 minutes remaining.
West Brom could and should have had the game sewn up by half-time, but Stephane Sessegnon inexplicably missed from just a couple of yards, giving the visitors a way back into the game, which they duly took.
West Brom 2 Aston Villa 2 - January 19 2013
Roles were reversed in this clash in the season prior, with Albion this time coming back from two goals down to snatch a point.
Goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor had put Lambert's side in the driving seat, but Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie pulled things level for the hosts in another pulsating derby clash between the foes.
Ben Foster had given Albion some hope of a comeback, saving from Eric Lichaj to keep the score at 2-0 before the end of the first half.
Brunt's 20-yard effort was something to behold soon after the restart, giving Albion impetus to push for an equaliser, which eventually came as Odemwingie turned and finished with just seven minutes to play.
West Brom 2 Aston Villa 1 - April 30 2011
A memorable game for Albion fans, thanks mainly to this win being their first league victory over Villa for more than 25 years at the time.
It wasn't without its drama either, after Villa opened their account early courtesy of an Abdoulaye Meite own goal.
It was Odemwingie who levelled proceedings before Paul Scharner saw red for a second bookable offence - leaving Albion with ten men for the best part of 30 minutes.
However, Youssouf Mulumbu grabbed an unlikely winner for the hosts, helping them leapfrog Villa in the table and effectively securing survival in Roy Hodgson's first season in charge.
West Brom 1 Aston Villa 2 - September 21 2008
It was a first half of drama that decided this meeting between Villa and Albion, with John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor securing all three points for Villa in a day Leon Barnett would rather forget.
The defender was drafted in late on for West Brom, and lost Carew for the opening goal before his failed clearance then fell to Agbonlahor two minutes later to allow Villa to double their advantage.
A mistake from Brad Friedel then allowed James Morrison to pull one goal back for the hosts, but they couldn't find an equaliser in the encounter.
Carew could have had a hat-trick on another day, hitting the post twice in the second half as they moved into the top four courtesy of the win.
West Brom 1 Aston Villa 2 - January 2 2006
A late Villa penalty secured three points for the visitors in 2006, in a game in which they dominated the early proceedings.
Luke Moore signalled the Villans' intentions early on in the game, with his effort striking the bar as Bryan Robson's side struggled to get a foothold.
In reality, they did well to hold on for a half time score of 0-0, only for Steven Davis to break the deadlock for David O'Leary's side two minutes after the restart.
Steve Watson had equalised with 15 minutes to play, before he then gave away a penalty which Milan Baros converted to secure three points for the visiting side.
West Brom 3 Aston Villa 1 - January 14 1984
The final game on our list comes from back in the mid-1980s, with West Brom fighting back from a goal down to snatch a win from the visiting Villans.
Gary Shaw had fired Villa in front after a goalmouth scramble, but a double from Garry Thompson before a late Cyrille Regis breakaway turned the game on its head to give Albion the win.
The defeat continued the visitors poor run of form away from home, with Tony Barton's side having won just once away from Villa Park that season.
