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After suffering mixed fortunes in last week's FA Cup third round, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion return to Premier League action at Villa Park.

Albion suffered one of the biggest upsets of the round at the hands of League One side Peterborough, who equalised in the dying minutes to take the Baggies to a replay at London Road.

Despite progressing through to the fourth round Villa could not have enjoyed their narrow 2-1 win over Gillingham, a game that manager Martin O'Neill described as 'blood and thunder'.

Neither O'Neill nor his counterpart at West Brom, Tony Mowbray, can argue that they used the weekend to recuperate in preparation for this weekend's fixture as both men decided to field strong teams.

Villa rested only Gareth Barry (groin) and Luke Young, both of whom should come straight back into the team to face the Baggies, with Craig Gardner and Nicky Shorey returning to the sidelines.

O'Neill was also forced to leave Martin Laursen and Gabriel Agbonlahor out of the side - the latter having fallen ill on the morning of the game.

The young striker should be well enough to take his place in attack alongside Ashley Young this weekend, but Laursen's knee injury is likely keep him out.

With Villa's other two injured defenders, Wilfred Bouma and Carlos Cuellar, likely to be out for another two weeks the rest of the team that beat Gillingham should start against West Brom.

The Baggies, bottom of the Premier League on goal difference only after their vital 2-0 victory over Spurs two weeks ago, were also forced into two changes for their FA Cup tie.

James Morrison and Carl Hoefkens came in for the injured Borja Valero and Gianni Zuiverloon, both of whom should be fit for this weekend - as should Morrison who tweaked his groin during the draw with the Posh.

Yet the distinctly average performance last week could force Mowbray to switch players regardless of injuries, although he has had to wait until the end of this week before weighing up his options.

"Thursday will be the acid test for Gianni and James," Mowbray told the club's official website earlier this week, adding: "If they don't train they'll be doubts."

Match Report

Goalkeeper Scott Carson cannot escape making catastrophic blunders and his latest mistake handed his former club, Aston Villa, three points on a plate.

Carson's transgression occurred in the 41st minute when he fumbled a seemingly harmless low shot from Gabby Agbonlahor, who had shot more in hope than conviction of scoring.

Earlier, Curtis Davies did his former club few favours as the central defender notched his first goal for Aston Villa to keep West Bromwich Albion firmly entrenched at the foot of the Premier League.

Poor Albion, who have collected only four points from their eleven away games, slumped to their eighth defeat away from The Hawthorns as Villa completed the double.

After his second-half performance, questions had to be asked why Albion did not start the game with Roman Bednar, who certainly livened up their attack in the second half.

Villa, last beaten at home by Albion in 1979, turned off the tap in the second half and maintained their record, although they allowed their near neighbours back into the game when James Morrison reduced the arrears five minutes into the second half.

As usual, Albion played some pleasing football with newcomer Jay Simpson from Arsenal showing up well in the early stages.

The vital turning point occurred in the 18th minute following a delightful three man move between Stiliyan Petrov, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young.

Unfortunately, no-one was on hand to convert Young's perfect cross from the left. Paul Robinson, however, decided to concede a corner.

Both Morrison and Jonathan Greening cleared efforts off the line before the ball went back to Barry on the right. His cross was headed home by Davies despite a packed Albion defence.

The goal turned on Villa, with Ashley Young in particular emerging as Albion's tormentor-in-chief as he demonstrated with several tricky runs. One such run nearly ended in a second goal, but Young's curling shot was just wide of the far post.

Albion's fate should have been sealed as early as the 31 minute when their defensive frailties were exposed. Robinson was caught hopelessly out of position as James Milner raced clear.

He provided a low cross for the on-rushing Steve Sidwell, but the former Arsenal and Chelsea player screwed his shot wide.

Four minutes before half-time Carson made his latest howler when he palmed in Agbonlahor's low, close-range shot after the England striker had collected a pass from Barry.

Albion, who had previously only scored three goals on their travels this season, hit back in the 50th minute when Morrison gave a good indication of why he has attracted the attention of Bolton.

The industrious Albion played latched onto a header down from substitute Bednar to crash his 15-yard shot past Brad Friedel, with the aid of a deflection.

In the following two minutes Carson distinguished himself with successive saves from Ashley Young and Sidwell to keep Albion in the game, but his earlier mistake ultimately proved to be the incident which decided the local derby.

Albion staged a determined late rally and Villa survived the onslaught and what appeared to be a strong penalty appeal in the last three minutes to complete the double.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides