Ron Atkinson: Rivalry between West Brom and Aston Villa could help reignite region

A former manager of both clubs, Atkinson knows how intense the rivalry is, and says in the past, it has even trumped the Second City Derby for animosity.

He expects both teams to be challenging for promotion come May, but reckons any winner would be given a psychological boost heading into the busy festive period.

“It looks to be an exciting game,” said Atkinson. “There’s an awful lot on it and both teams are capable of scoring goals.

“Villa have got quite a good record at The Hawthorns, when I was Albion manager we always had more joy against them at Villa Park.

“It’s also now a game that means something because both teams look as if they’re going to be in the shake up at the end of the season. Whoever wins it, it gives them a good advantage leading into Christmas.”

Atkinson was a manager for two decades, but he’s been impressed by both men in either dugout.

“I’ve been a big fan of Dean Smith for a while,” he said. “I followed his career at Walsall and Brentford, and fortunately he’s been given a chance in the Midands.

“I thought Bruce should have got longer but he wasn’t. Smith has imposed his methods straight away, the kid up front [Tammy Abraham] is scoring goals and he’s got others that can supplement him.

“He’s got [Jonathan] Kodjia, who I see as an impact player, and Scott Hogan. When I saw Hogan play before I thought he’d be decent with a good partner.

“I’ve known Big Dave [Darren Moore] for years. He went in there last year, and nearly created another great escape, gave them confidence and respectability back.

“It’s good he’s been given a chance because the norm with a lot of clubs is the first thought is to look abroad for a manager.

“It’s good to see English managers in charge, and both Midlands boys, that plays a part I think.

“Darren’s brother David played for the Villa, he was in our youth team with Lee Hendrie."

And Atkinson believes there is more than just bragging rights at stake in tonight't match.

“There’s an excitement about the game, because it’s meaningful," he said.

“I always felt the West Brom-Villa game had more intensity than even a Birmingham game.

“People don’t realise how close the proximity of it is. The same people that can hear the cheers when Albion score at The Hawthorns can also hear the cheers from Villa Park.”

“It does on paper look a very exciting match.”

Although the area only has one team in the top tier, Atkinson believes something is stirring in the region.

“The Midlands used to be a hotbed of football,” he said. “That’s died over the last few years because the teams have tapered off but there seems to be something happening.

“Wolves going up is great, OK the Albion came down, but there seems to be something now going on.

“I was at Birmingham City last week, and they were very impressive. There is now a genuine mini-revival and I wouldn’t be in the least surprised to see one of them go up automatically.

“Obviously the game between Albion and Villa is significant.

“Villa have scored 15 in the last four. Albion should have won the last game convincingly.

“Whoever wins, if there’s a winner – and I’m not sure there will be – will be given a huge boost.”