Derby puts pep in Mel’s step

West Brom head coach Pepe Mel has been studying Aston Villa closely ahead of tonight’s derby clash between the two midlands clubs.

The Barclays Premier League contest at Villa Park will be only the second match in charge of Albion for Mel, who is in is his first job in English football.

But he has wasted no time in preparing for what he describes as “a big game”, taking in Villa’s 2-1 home loss to Arsenal – played four days after his January 9 appointment – and 2-2 draw at Liverpool that followed, as well as watching back their meeting earlier this season with the Baggies, which also finished 2-2.