{"id":362874,"date":"2019-02-15T14:50:09","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T19:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=362874"},"modified":"2019-02-15T14:53:16","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T19:53:16","slug":"darren-moore-without-key-players-as-west-bromwich-albion-visit-aston-villa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/02\/15\/darren-moore-without-key-players-as-west-bromwich-albion-visit-aston-villa\/","title":{"rendered":"Darren Moore Without Key Players as West Bromwich Albion Visit Aston Villa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Darren Moore takes his West Bromwich Albion<\/a> side to Villa Park this weekend as the Championship campaign rolls on. The Baggies managed to steal a controversial point from their midweek fixture, with Jay Rodriguez<\/a>\u2019s 89th-minute penalty securing a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns. Meanwhile, Aston Villa were outclassed by Brentford as they fell to a 1-0 defeat, Dean Smith thwarted by his former club.<\/p>\n

Darren Moore Without Key Players For Villa Clash<\/h1>\n

Forced Changes<\/h2>\n

West Brom are forced to make a change to their massively productive front line with Dwight Gayle<\/a> suspended. Gayle, on loan from Newcastle United<\/a>, has been a key figure in the Baggies\u2019 goal-filled season. He shares 31 of Albion\u2019s goals with strike partner Jay Rodriguez<\/a>, as the pair have struck up a tremendous partnership.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old will miss the trip across the Midlands to Villa Park, though, as well as Albion\u2019s visit to QPR following retrospective action from the FA. Gayle is judged to have dived in the penalty area resulting in West Brom\u2019s late penalty equaliser on Tuesday. A three-person Football Association review panel charged Gayle with \u2018successful deception of a match official\u2019 as efforts to eradicate simulation continue.<\/p>\n

System Change<\/h2>\n

With a number of Albion\u2019s key attacking players missing, Darren Moore could well be forced to change his system. The Baggies are without Matt Phillips<\/a> and Hal Robson-Kanu<\/a>, both missing through injury, as well as Gayle. This will almost certainly force Moore away from his preferred 4-3-3 formation, perhaps dropping to a 4-4-1-1.<\/p>\n

Central defender Ahmed Hegazi<\/a> could return from a hamstring injury but, if not, it won\u2019t cause a massive headache. Kyle Bartley<\/a> or Oluwatosin Adarabioyo can slot into that role alongside Craig Dawson<\/a>, although neither have been in particularly fine form lately.<\/p>\n

Hand of Rod<\/h2>\n

When West Brom and Aston Villa renewed their rivalry at The Hawthorns earlier this season, more controversy ensued. Once again, a Baggies equaliser in the dying moments of a 2-2 draw came under intense scrutiny. Rodriguez threw himself at the ball as Matt Phillips<\/a> whipped in a cross. His bravery was applauded and his desire was unquestioned, but his finish was dubious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the desperation of a last minute equaliser, Rodriguez gambled on a near post cross from Phillips. He headed the ball against his own hand as he knocked it past the oncoming Villa goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland<\/a>, before touching the ball again with his hand as he crashed to the ground, helping the ball across the line.<\/p>\n

This needed very little spice added to what is already a tasty fixture, but the Hand of Rod has done just that. Rodriguez has scored six goals in his last eight league games, adding to his tally this weekend will only add to the expected animosity.<\/p>\n

Villa Park<\/h2>\n

Attention turns to Villa Park as these old rivals butt heads once again. Aston Villa need three points to steady their ship as they\u2019ve drifted away from the play-off places recently. West Brom are looking to close the gap on the automatic promotion spots as they look to continue their impressive form on the road. Winning six of their last seven away fixtures makes Albion the form team heading into this historic fixture.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>