Better. Well the approach play anyway. Albion neatly create a half chance with some triangular passing down the right. The square pass finds Salomon Rondon at the near post, but he slashes wide under close attention from Joleon Lescott.

Brian Little
Former Aston Villa player & manager on BBC WM 95.6

"The second half has been really scrappy so far, mistakes being made from both sides.

"Perhaps both teams need to freshen things up, possibly Gestede for Villa could make an impact but I don't think Berahino can for WBA!"

Albion have already managed more shots at goal in the past eight minutes than they did in the previous 45. Stephan Sessegnon fancies his chances from distance, but his right-footed strike is always arcing away from the Villa goal.

James McClean appears to be the biggest threat for Albion, the Irishman whipping in a cross from the left. But it has too much juice on it as Craig Gardner fails to meet the ball as he races in from deep.

Albion still making sure the play takes place in the Villa half. Skipper Darren Fletcher floats in a 40-yard diag towards James McClean, but the winger is a couple of inches too short to meet it. 

Albion straight on the front foot. Their ears are probably still stinging from Tony Pulis' half-time rollicking.

And they have a chance when Villa midfielder Idrissa Gana clatters into the back of Salomon Rondon near the left-hand byline.

Craig Gardner fizzes in the free-kick, but Craig Dawson cannot keep his header down. The search for an Albion effort on target continues...

This is West Brom's touch map against Aston Villa. Just two touches inside the penalty box. And just one shot at goal (which didn't hit the target).

Must improve...

Image source, Opta

Right let's get ready to rumble. Both sets of players wander out, no changes for either side. Albion kick off...

Former Albion forward Tony Brown on BBC WM 95.6: “West Brom just haven’t been able to get into the game, they have not supported Rondon and he hasn’t been given any service to hurt Villa.”

Brian Little
Former Aston Villa player & manager on BBC WM 95.6

“Villa are slowly getting on top they are just lacking that final shot or ball to make the pressure count.”

Not as thrilling as one would have hoped it would be about an hour ago. Plenty of endeavour, plenty of cut and thrust, but not plenty of quality. Which is what you would expect from two sides in the bottom half of the Premier League - including one which has been cut adrift.

However, it is the marooned team (Villa, in case you had any doubt) which is bossing possession and territory at The Hawthorns.

Image source, Opta

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns

"Taking a long time to truly spark into life at The Hawthorns.

"Villa skipper Micah Richards' high, late challenge on Claudio Yacob was the sort of moment that might have lit the blue touch paper.

"But referee Bobby Madley waved play on, to allow Albion the advantage. . . . And by the time he came to book Richards, it was almost three minutes later and the moment had almost been forgotten."

Craig Gardner stands over the free-kick, just outside the Villa penalty area on the left. But his delivery is flicked over the crossbar and that is that for another 15 minutes.

Eeek! Uncertainty from Villa keeper Mark Bunn as he flaps at a floated Albion free-kick from deep, the home players desperately trying to ping the ball goalwards. Villa partially clear, only for Jonas Okore to heap the pressure back on to his side by bundling over James McClean. Last chance of the half...

Decent spell of pressure here for Villa. But not very productive. Albion keeper Ben Foster is not needed to get his gloves dirty.

Ooof! 'Robust' would be a polite way of describing a sliding challenge from Villa skipper Micah Richards on Claudio Yacob. 'Downright filthy' less so and probably more accurate. Ref Bobby Madley allows an ultimately fruitless Albion attack to continue, before hauling back play to scrawl Richards' name in his notepad.

Villa hit the post! But Villa striker Libor Kozak had already been flagged offside. Sorry for getting you excited.

And Brian Little is almost instantly proved right! Villa defenders Micah Richards and Jonas Okore get themselves into an almighty mess - a Chuckle Brothers moment if you like. "To you." "To me." Eventually they sort themselves out and hack clear.

Brian Little
Former Aston Villa player & manager on BBC WM 95.6

“Villa look how they have all season so far, fairly solid but you fear there might be a nasty surprise lurking around the corner.”

Dear oh dear. This sums it up. Albion have a free-kick about 40 yards out near the left touchline, so they send the big lads up from the back. But James McClean drills the set-piece straight into Mark Bunn's hands. The Villa keeper didn't have to move.