Conor Hourihane: Aston Villa going for the win against Albion

The showdown at The Hawthorns sees the Championship’s two top-scoring teams face-off, with eighth-placed Villa aiming to close the gap on the third-placed Baggies.

Albion currently sit top of the charts having hit 42 goals in 20 games but Villa, re-energised under Dean Smith, are hot on their heels, having bagged 39 including 15 in their last four fixtures.

They are also targeting a third straight away win following big victories at Derby and Middlesbrough; two other promotion contenders.

Hourihane said: “The gaffer does not want to go to any place and set up for a draw. That is just not his way of doing things.

“He wanted to go away to Derby and win there. He wanted to go to Boro and win. It is all about winning and it is great to be part of it.”

While strong in attack, both teams have had their issues in defence and Hourihane, who is now being asked to play a deeper midfield role, does not want a repeat of Villa’s recent 5-5 draw with Nottingham Forest.

“I don’t want another one of them!” he said. “Listen, West Brom are a good side and they have great firepower in their team.

“It is going to be another tough game away from home, a local derby on the telly. It will be another tough one but we are looking forward to it.”

Villa have won four of their last five games and Hourihane admits confidence among players is soaring.

He added: “This group are determined to achieve something. The manager has come in and he and his staff have been fantastic from day one.

“They got us together and worked us hard on the training field. When you win games of football it breeds that bit of togetherness that you want.

“If it goes the other way, you maybe don’t see that. Winning games of football breeds confidence and gives that buzz to the lads. We’ve got that at the minute.”